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Orioles vs. Royals: ALCS Game 4 TV Schedule, Preview, Prediction

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By @Brad_Faber

 

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Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

ALCS Game 4: Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals (Kansas City leads 3-0)

Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 at 4:07 p.m. ET On TBS 

Probables: Miguel Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00) vs. Jason Vargas (0.0, 3.00)

On Tuesday night, the Royals hosted the Orioles in Game 3 of the 2014 ALCS, a game that was originally scheduled for Monday night, but was postponed due to rain. The Royals won the contest by a score of 2-1, taking a commanding 3-0 series lead. Baltimore will now need a 2004 Boston Red Sox-esque comeback in order to reach the World Series.

In Game 4, Baltimore is expected to give the ball to Miguel Gonzalez, who will be making his first postseason start of 2014. He was originally expected to start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, a team he had less-than-stellar career numbers against, but he was ultimately scratched in favor of Bud Norris. Gonzalez has only one postseason start on his resume, receiving a no-decision in Game 3 of the 2012 ALDS against the New York Yankees, an outing in which he twirled seven innings, surrendered just one earned run and racked up eight strikeouts.

Gonzalez was quite steady in the regular season, posting a 10-9 record, a 3.23 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. For the 30 year-old right hander, it marked three straight seasons with a winning record and a sub-4.00 ERA. It should also be noted that he was spectacular in September, going 3-2 with a 1.69 ERA in five starts.

Gonzalez made one start against Kansas City this season, taking the loss after giving up three earned runs in six innings pitched. He owns a career mark of 1-2 with a 4.82 in three career starts against the Royals.

For the Royals, left hander Jason Vargas will be making his first start since October 2, when he received a no-decision in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels, the team he happened to spend the entire 2013 season with. Like Gonzalez, Vargas will be making just the second postseason start of his career.

The 31 year-old Vargas strung together a fine season in Kansas City, posting an 11-10 record, a career-best 3.71 ERA and a healthy 1.27 WHIP. Vargas did not face the Orioles in 2014, but he has gone 2-3 with a 1.94 ERA in eight career starts against the Birds.

One factor that may bode well for the Orioles, though, is that Vargas was actually much better away from Kauffman Stadium in 2014, posting a 5-4 record with a 2.73 ERA on the road, compared to a 6-6 record with a 4.53 ERA at home.

Gonzalez, on the other hand, has similar numbers regardless of where he is pitching, going 4-5 with a 3.18 ERA at home and 6-4 with a 3.27 ERA on the road.

If one had to pick which team to give the edge to in Game 4, they may be inclined to pick the Royals as they obviously have the momentum on their side, but Baltimore shouldn’t be counted out just yet. The Orioles may have dropped the first three games of the series, but they will not go down without a fight. Look for a very well-rested Gonzalez to turn in a gem tomorrow afternoon to help keep the O’s season alive.

Brad Faber is a Detroit Tigers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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