KC Royals set starting pitching rotation for AL Wild Card round of MLB playoffs

The Kansas City Royals have finalized their starting pitching rotation for the American League Wild Card series that’s set to begin Tuesday.

The Royals will start left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans in Game 1. He’ll make his first career postseason start after KC on Friday clinched its first berth in the MLB playoffs since 2015.

The Royals will play either the Baltimore Orioles or Houston Astros in a best-of-three AL Wild Card series. Game 1 will be at either Oriole Park at Camden Yards or Minute Maid Park in Houston.

“It’s awesome,” Ragans said. “You know, I don’t think you could go wrong with any of the guys. I’m pumped to get us started. It’s exciting for everybody and we are looking forward to it. (Just) bringing the playoffs back to KC.”

Ragans is 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA in 32 starts this year. He was the Royals’ opening day starter and became a first time All-Star this season.

“For him to get the ball this year in his first full season as a major-league starter and get the ball in Game 1 of the playoffs is incredible,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “It’s an accomplishment for him and it’s a credit to the pitching department, medical staff and everybody that’s been able to help him through the course of this year.”

The Royals will turn to a pair of veterans as the wild-card series progresses.

KC will start AL Cy Young candidate Seth Lugo in Game 2. He has been nothing short of dynamic since signing with Kansas City in free agency, going 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA in 33 starts.

Like Ragans, he also became an All-Star for the first time in his career over the summer.

Lugo’s turn on the mound for Game 2 figures to be intense, no matter what: If KC wins Game 1, he’d be pitching a potential clincher; if KC loses Tuesday, he’ll be throwing in an elimination setting.

In either scenario, Lugo is the Royals’ best option in a must-win game.

“You can have your whole career and not make it to the postseason,” Lugo said. “I’m really happy for some of these young guys to experience that for the first time.”

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha is lined up for Game 3. Wacha has the most playoff experience of anyone in KC’s rotation. He has appeared in eight playoff games (six starts).

He will throw in a winner-take-all elimination game if the wild-card series is tied on Thursday. Obviously, if the Royals were to close out their opponent in Game 2, Wacha would take a seat.

The Royals would have to like their chances if a third game is called for. Wacha is 7-2 with a 2.79 ERA since the All-Star break.

“It’s definitely an honor and a blessing to be in the spot that we are in,” he said. “To get the Game 3 start and the potential it could mean, you try not to approach it any different than any other (start). Just be ready when my name is called.”

The Royals leaned on their starting rotation this season. The additions of Lugo and Wacha shifted the staff’s trajectory. The veterans made a positive impact on the club’s younger pitchers.

Lugo set career marks in wins and innings pitched. Wacha has been dominant down the stretch and picked up a new slider along the way.

The Royals plan to utilize right-handed starters Brady Singer and Michael Lorenzen out of the bullpen for the AL Wild Card round.

The Royals are confident in their veteran starters, especially in a three-game series. Ragans, Lugo and Wacha have shown their ability to dominate on the mound, combining for 57 quality starts in this season.

Now, they’ll just look to keep it going on baseball’s biggest stage.

“Obviously, the crowds are going to be a lot louder,” Ragans said, “but it’s the same game once you get out there. ... (B)aseball’s baseball. Just because it’s the playoffs doesn’t mean you need to make anything any different than what it was in the regular season.”

With that in mind, Ragans, Lugo and Wacha are ready to seize the moment.

“It’s some of the most fun baseball that there is,” Wacha said. “It’s an exciting time.”