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Kansas City Royals vs. Houston Astros ALDS Game 3 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

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TV Schedule: Sunday, October 11, 4:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network

Location: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

The Houston Astros shocked the masses by going into Kauffman Stadium and beating the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the ALDS. But the Royals’ bats finally woke up, scratching-and-crawling their way to a win in Game 2 in order to even the series at 1-1.

Now, the series shifts to Houston in Game 3. The Royals have a tall order in front of them, as the Astros send their ace, AL Cy Young favorite Dallas Keuchel to the mound. Keuchel dominated throughout the regular season, going 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA and 1.017 WHIP.

Not only did Keuchel carry the Astros’ pitching staff in the regular season, but he also shut down the New York Yankees in his postseason debut, tossing six scoreless innings on three days rest.

However, the Royals can take some solace in the fact that they send a mainly right-handed lineup to face the star southpaw, which slightly increases their chances over a team like New York that was more reliant on its big lefty bats.

If anyone is going to give Keuchel trouble, it’ll be Alex Rios, Lorenzo Cain or Kendrys Morales — all three are batting .375 or better against Keuchel in their careers, albeit in limited at-bats.

Kansas City needs Alcides Escobar and Ben Zobrist to set the table for the middle of the order in an effort to manufacture a few runs, as relying on the big inning is not a strategy that’s conducive to winning against the best pitcher in the American League. Moving runners over, and remaining aggressive on the basepaths is the best way to beat someone of Keuchel’s ability.

The Royals send Edinson Volquez to the hill against the Astros. Volquez was excellent for the Royals in 2015, finishing 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA and 7.0 K/9.  As you know, Houston relies heavily on the home run ball, and strikes out a ton. Volquez’s 7.0 K/9 is solid, but to keep the Astros at bay, a pitcher that averages a strikeout per inning is ideal.

OF Colby Rasmus has been on fire for the Astros thus far in the postseason, and is hitting .357 with one HR and six RBI in 14 career at-bats against Volquez, which doesn’t project to be an incredibly encouraging trend for the Royals.

The only other Astro who has a sample size of over 10 at-bats against Volquez is Carlos Gomez. In 31 at-bats, Gomez is hitting .290 with three HRs and three RBIs. Clearly, Gomez sees Volquez well, and projects to cause him fits throughout this game.

The Royals undoubtedly have the edge in the bullpen, and can rest comfortably knowing a game that’s tied after both starters are out automatically shifts in their favor. Unfortunately, however, the Astros will jump all over Volquez early, and put Keuchel in a position to pitch with a three-run lead throughout most of his outing.

In the end, it’ll be too much Keuchel, and the Astros will cement a 2-1 series lead after defeating the Royals 6-2.

Timothy Downs is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can ‘like him’ on Facebook add him on Google or follow him Twitter @Tidow1212

 

 

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