It’s do-or-die time for the Royals.
After dropping Game 3 Sunday, Kansas City can’t afford another loss in their best-of-five American League Division Series against the Houston Astros.
On the strength of solid starting pitching by ace Dallas Keuchel, the Astros held off the Royals 4-2 Sunday to claim a 2-1 series lead.
Royals starter Edinson Volquez provided a strong showing, giving up 3 earned runs in 5.2 innings. Kansas City’s offense came via homerun – outfielder Lorenzo Cain hit a solo shot to put the Royals up 1-0 in the fourth and outfielder Alex Gordon hit one off of Astros closer Luke Gregerson to lead off the ninth.
Kansas City’s Yordano Ventura will take to the hill with the weight of the team on his back on Monday. He did not look sharp in a rain-shortened Game 1 outing, which the Royals ultimately lost. The Astros will look to rookie Lance McCullers.
First-pitch is scheduled for 12:07 p.m. CT from Houston. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
Jeremy Bernfeld is the editor of Harvest Public Media, based at KCUR 89.3. Find him on Twitter @JeremyHPM.
