It seems as if the Kansas City Royals are getting a taste of their own medicine during the 2015 MLB postseason. After running through the American League during last year's playoffs as a wild card team, the Houston Astros are seemingly mirroring that performance.
Houston defeated Kansas City 5-2 in Game 1 of the ALDS last night at Kauffman Stadium. A one-hour rain delay in the third inning did not affect the Astros' ability to keep producing runs and playing stellar defense, but most importantly, starting pitcher Collin McHugh was able to continue his solid outing.
McHugh surrendered two earned runs (both solo home runs to Royals DH Kendrys Morales) on four hits and one walk over six innings. The right-hander, who was 19-7 with a 3.89 ERA during the regular season, showed why manager A.J. Hinch chose him as the Game 1 starter.
It also helped that the Astros offense gave him an early lead.
Royals' starter Yordano Ventura was knocked around before the rain delay and gave up three earned runs on four hits and a walk in just two innings. Astros' sluggers Jose Altuve, Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis knocked in runs against the right-hander, who was removed from the game after the rain delay in favor of Chris Young.
Although Young provided solid relief (4 IP, 1 ER, 7 K), he let up a crucial solo home run to Astros' outfielder George Springer in the fifth inning, which extended Houston's lead to 4-2. Rasmus added another solo shot of his own - his second of the postseason - in the eighth inning off reliever Ryan Madson and that all but officially sealed it.
Houston's bullpen was once again solid, as they displayed on Tuesday against the New York Yankees. Tony Sipp, Will Harris, Oliver Perez and Luke Gregerson combined for three scoreless innings. Gregerson earned his second save of the playoffs.
The Royals did threaten at times with baserunners, but both McHugh and Perez got the Astros out of the jams. Kansas City scattered just six hits and a walk while Houston amassed 11 hits and three walks in the crucial first game of the ALDS.
Thus far in the 2015 MLB postseason, the home team has not led at any point during any game, as we saw in the wild card matchups as well as Game 1 of the ALDS between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers.
Game 2 of this series will take place on Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 when Astros' left-hander Scott Kazmir battles Royals right-hander Johnny Cueto.
The Royals will need a win if they want to avoid falling victim to this year's version of the 2014 Royals.
