The ALDS between the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros has been a back-and-forth battle with each team splitting their matchups at home. But only one team will advance in the 2015 MLB playoffs on Wednesday when Game 5 takes place in Kansas City.
Here's what to expect in tonight's elimination game.
3. It's more than likely to be a battle of the bullpens
Both clubs were tops in the MLB in bullpen ERA during the regular season. Kansas City ranked second with a 2.72 ERA and Houston was sixth with a 3.27 ERA. We've seen a lot of these relievers in this series because only one starter (Dallas Keuchel) managed to pitch more than 6 1/3 innings.
"[Collin]McHugh and [Johnny] Cueto -- the way he's been pitching -- aren't on the same level as Stroman and Hamels, so this game is even more likely to turn on when managers A.J. Hinch and Ned Yost go to their bullpens," writes ESPN's David Schoenfield.
Although these two were the best during the regular season, they've been put to the test in the postseason. Houston's relievers have given up 10 runs (eight earned) on 16 hits and six walks in 10 1/3 innings of work while Kansas City's bullpen has allowed six earned runs on 16 hits and five walks over 16 1/3 innings.
There have been 37 runs scored in this series, so it's crucial for one of these pitching staffs to step up tonight and keep the scoring to a minimum. Expect Wade Davis to pitch two innings again and don't be surprised if Keuchel or Scott Kazmir come out of the bullpen in an emergency situation for the Astros.
2. Johnny Cueto probably won't provide the Royals with a dominant outing
Cueto is a largely unproven postseason pitcher and this is perhaps the most pressure he'll have to deal with at this point in his career. He did pitch in the NL Wild Card Game back in 2013, but that didn't go so well, as you can see below:
He allowed four earned runs on eight hits and a walk over just 3 1/3 innings in that loss.
Cueto is 0-2 with a 5.52 ERA in four postseason starts (although he left Game 1 of the 2012 NLDS in the first inning with a finger injury), including his outing in Game 2 of this year's ALDS when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks in six innings. He has a lot to prove in terms of his poise under pressure, and it's hard to believe tonight will be the night he breaks out.
He won't be on the road, but expectations will be high in front of a sold out home crowd in Kansas City.
1. The young Astros will not back down
Houston and Chicago have shown that the youth of the MLB is not scared of experienced teams. The Astros exemplified that by taking down the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game and giving the Royals a fun for their money in this series.
Jose Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa comprise the core of this Astros team and none of them are over the age of 25. They're also the team's first three batters and have combined for a .280 average (14-for-50) with nine runs scored, three home runs and eight RBIs in the ALDS.
If that's not enough for you, here's how these three youngsters performed in the final month of the 2015 season when the Astros were desperately fighting for a spot in the playoffs:
Altuve - .302/.328/.566 with 19 runs scored, 4 home runs and 12 RBIs in 30 games
Springer - .304/.373/.464 with 16 runs scored 3 home runs and 12 RBIs in 27 games
Correa - .275/.336/.492 with 14 runs scored, 6 home runs and 23 RBis in 30 games
The Royals have a lot in their favor, but don't be surprised if the Astros come out on top tonight behind their young, energetic and tough group of hitters.
Check out the live stream and radio broadcast for tonight's Game 5 here.
