Kansas City Royals Up Next For Houston Astros

It was not too long ago, when the media poked fun the Houston Astros rebuilding plan and a payroll that was under $25 million. It was 2013 to be exact. Amazing things happen when you have a plan and work the plan. Using a combination of veterans, youth and overall depth, Houston entered the postseason with a total payroll of $81.3 million and dispatched the New York Yankess 3-0 advance to the American League Division Series.

Pitching on three days’ rest, Dallas Keuchel threw six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven in dominating an suddenly old looking New York team. The Astros got home runs from Colby Rasmus in the second inning and Carlos Gomez to back up the effort.

“To come to Yankee Stadium and play that well was truly remarkable,” said Keuchel, the AL’s only 20-game winner.

Next stop, Kansas City and the defending American League Champion Royals, and it will not be easy.

We’ve been looking forward to this since the end of spring training,” Royals manager Ned Yost said before Tuesday’s first postseason workout. “That’s the big change from last year. Last year, we hoped we would be in position to make the playoffs. This year, we knew we were going.”

Kansas City has lined up Yordano Ventura to start Game 1, with Johnny Cueto in Game 2 and Edinson Volquez in Game 3.

The Astros have been quiet thus far about their pitching plans for the ALDS, but Collin McHugh would be a likely candidate for Thursday’s opener and Lance McCullers for Friday with Dallas Keuchel available for Sunday’s Game 3 when the series would move to Houston.

ALDS Schedule

All times ET

Game 1: Thursday, Oct. 8 at Kansas City, 7:37 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Game 2: Friday, Oct. 9 at Kansas City, 3:45 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Game 3: Sunday, Oct. 11 at Houston, 4:10 p.m. (MLB Network)
Game 4: Monday, Oct. 12 at Houston, TBD (Fox Sports 1)*
Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Kansas City, TBD (Fox Sports 1)*
*if necessary

(Photo by Anthony Causi)