Getty Images
TV Schedule: Wednesday, October 14, 8:07 p.m. on Fox Sports 1
Location: Edwin M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Line: Kansas City (-124)
Entering the decisive ALDS Game 5, the Kansas City Royals have all the momentum after overcoming a 6-2 eighth inning deficit to the Houston Astros in Game 4 to score seven runs in the eighth and ninth and end up with a 9-6 victory. The Astros must put that game in the past, look forward to Game 5 and focus on how to beat Johnny Cueto. Kauffman Stadium will be rocking on Wednesday evening in this win or go home Game 5.
Cueto will attempt to put forth a better performance than he did in Game 2 when he allowed four earned runs in six innings. When the Royals made the trade for Cueto, the thought was that he was the missing piece to get the team over the hump and to the World Series, but the free agent-to-be only went 4-7 in 13 starts for the Royals, with an ERA of 4.76 and 1.45 WHIP. Expect Cueto to be on an extremely short leash with the strength of the Royals’ bullpen.
For the Astros, the hopes of advancing to the ALCS rest on the shoulders of Collin McHugh. McHugh was the winning pitcher in Game 1, going six innings and allowing two earned runs, four hits and a walk. The 28-year-old right-hander will need to locate his pitches in order to be successful as the Royals’ lineup will likely be teeing off after receiving some confidence towards the end of Game 4.
The lone Royals to have success off of McHugh in Game 2 were Ben Zobrist and Kendrys Morales. Zobrist collected a pair of singles while Morales crushed two solo home runs. In order for the Royals to advance, the rest of the lineup will have to figure out McHugh.
Cueto, on the other hand, has struggled throughout his career against Colby Rasmus, Carlos Gomez and gave up a home run to George Springer in their first-ever meeting in Game 2. If the good Cueto doesn’t show up tonight, it will be the end of the Royals’ season.
This series has been tough to predict in its entirety. Looking at the pitching matchup, I would tend to lean towards the Astros, but there’s something about this Royals team when their backs are against the wall. Playing at home, I’ll give the edge to the defending American League champions.
Prediction: Kansas City 4, Houston 3
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
