With the script flipped from a year ago, time for the Royals to panic
The Kansas City Royals have been here before. Last time, they were on the other side.
Now trailing the Houston Astros 1-0 in the American League Division Series, the Royals should be concerned about being brushed away by an upstart wild card, just as they did to the Los Angeles Angels in 2014.
Halting Houston's momentum is now up to Johnny Cueto, who the Royals acquired at the deadline to be that ace they craved for so long. But after Cueto posted a 6.49 ERA in his final nine regular starts, manager Ned Yost made the curious choice not to throw his "ace" in Game 1.
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If it was about the pressure he'd be facing in a series opener, it's exponentially worse now that the Royals are in a hole.
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Part of that is the cost of success. After playing the underdog role last October, the Royals are favorites this time around, and it's always a concern how a team will respond to such a shift in expectations.
Having lost Game 1, history is not on the Royals' side. Since the best-of-five format first started in 1995, the team that wins the first game has gone on to win the series 72.5% of the time.
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That's of course not to say the Royals can't win three of four, since that statistic shows that at least one team every year bounces back after losing Game 1.
It's easy to say a team shouldn't freak out after one loss, but the importance of Game 2 cannot be understated. With Dallas Keuchel looming in Game 3, the Royals are looking at a sweep with a loss today.
The Royals know what it's like to play with house money as the Astros are right now. If nothing else, that experience should add even more to their sense of urgency Friday.
Thursday's stars
1. Jake Marisnick, Astros: Just a .236 hitter in 2015, Marisnick was given a surprise start against a righty and repaid manager A.J. Hinch's faith in him. The center fielder made a spectacular diving grab to save a run in the fifth when Houston's lead was 4-2.
2. Rougned Odor, Rangers: Scored three runs and his solo homer off David Price in the seventh inning provided Texas with a crucial insurance run.
3. Jose Altuve, Astros: Not that you'd expect anything less, but the All-Star set the table with three hits out of the leadoff spot, including an RBI single. He got caught stealing later in the game, but those are the chances you need to take in the postseason.
On deck
ALDS Game 2 – Rangers at Blue Jays, 12:45 p.m. ET (Texas leads 1-0): After injury scares in Game 1, Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista are in the lineup for Toronto. For Texas, Adrian Beltre is not in the starting lineup. Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA) makes his postseason debut against veteran Cole Hamels, who has a 3.09 ERA in 13 career starts.
ALDS Game 2 – Astros at Royals, 3:45 p.m. ET (Houston leads 1-0): This one features two pitchers who were acquired at the deadline, Scott Kazmir (7-11, 3.10 ERA) for the Astros and Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA) for the Royals.
NLDS Game 1 – Cubs at Cardinals, 6:45 p.m. ET, TBS: These teams have played each other 2,361 times since 1892, but this will be their first postseason meeting. John Lackey (13-10, 2.77 ERA) goes for St. Louis, which won the season series 11-8. Chicago starter Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) has been terrific in the postseason, with a 2.57 ERA in 84 career innings.
NLDS Game 1 – Mets at Dodgers, 9:45 p.m. ET, TBS: Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13 ERA) takes the hill at home looking to exorcise his postseason demons. He's opposed by Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA), in the Mets' first postseason game since 2006.
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