MLB NEWS

Royals’ hopes hinge on Cueto in Game 2

The Sports Xchange

October 09, 2015 at 1:59 am.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47).  John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47). John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals did not lose a game to an American League club in the playoffs last year, going 8-0 against the Athletics, Angels and Orioles.

This year, they lost their first playoff game, 5-2, at Kauffman Stadium to the Astros.

“It’s not a death sentence to lose Game 1,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

It might be the electric chair, however, if they lose the second game to the Astros and then would have to face left-hander Dallas Keuchel on Sunday in Houston.

“You look at Keuchel’s numbers (15-0) at home, they’re really impressive,” Yost said. “Tomorrow will be a big game for us, yeah.”

This is why the Royals acquired right-hander Johnny Cueto, who starts Friday, in a July trade with the Reds.

“That’s exactly why we got Johnny Cueto,” Yost said. “If you lose Game 1, then you got Johnny to help you bounce back. And best-case scenario, you win Game 1 and then you’ve got Johnny to take it to two-game lead.

“So that’s why we got Johnny, for games like that.”