American League Division Series - Game 1
First pitch: Thursday, 9:05 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -175, Kansas City +165, Total: 8

After an intense win in the Wild Card game, the Royals will play in their first-ever ALDS on the road against an Angels team with the best record in baseball.

Kansas City pulled out an improbable extra-inning, 9-8 victory over Oakland on Tuesday night in order to get to this point after nearly taking the AL Central division; finishing the year just one game behind Detroit. The Royals won the Wild Card game with speed, stealing seven bases, which were taken advantage of as they went 7-for-15 with runners in scoring position. DH Billy Butler (.271 BA) began his postseason career with a 2-for-4 day with 2 RBI, and is 14-for-34 (.412 BA) with five doubles, 11 RBI and four runs over his past nine games. The Angels had the best record in the league over the regular season due to their ability to score runs, as they put up the most in baseball (773), but did not do well over the in the last part of the season, going a mere 5-9 since Sept. 14. OF Mike Trout (.287 BA) is one of the top names to compete for the league MVP Award and he ranked third in the AL in HRs (36), while leading the league in both RBI (111) and runs (115). Getting the start for the Royals in Game 1 of this best-of-5 series will be LHP Jason Vargas (11-10, 3.71 ERA), as he goes against veteran RHP Jered Weaver (18-9, 3.59 ERA) of the host Angels. Over the regular season, Kansas City was a stellar 47-34 (.580) when playing on the road, while Los Angeles was the best home team in the league with a 52-29 record (.642). Over the past three seasons, the Angels are 13-9 overall in this series, but these clubs have split 12 meetings in Los Angeles. The Angels won 2-of-3 games the last time they played here (May 23-25), outscoring the Royals 14-11. Bettors should note that the Royals are a perfect 9-0 this season after scoring nine or more runs, while L.A. is 6-1 against AL Central opponents when Weaver is on the bump. As far as injuries are concerned, 2B Christian Colon (finger) returned to the lineup on Tuesday for Kansas City, while OF Josh Hamilton (shoulder) is expected to also return for this contest.

Jason Vargas has bounced around over the past three years as he has been part of three different clubs and has double-digit wins in three of the past four seasons. He has never been a pitcher that will strike out a ton of hitters, mowing down 6.2 batters per nine innings in 2014, but he showed impressive control (2.0 BB/9). His final four starts of the year did not go well, as he allowed 18 runs on 23 hits (4 HR) in 18 innings, while his team was 0-4. But in his time against the Angels (14 starts), Vargas has been great, going 7-4 (7-7 team record) with a 2.91 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. However, he pitched poorly in his most recent outing in this series on June 27 (4 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 1 K, 3 HR allowed). OF Mike Trout (6-for-15, 1 HR), OF Josh Hamilton (6-for-27, 3 HR, 5 RBI) and 1B Albert Pujols (6-for-21, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 4 RBI) have been productive off of the Royals starter, while 2B Howie Kendrick is 11-for-41 (.268) with three extra-base hits and nine strikeouts in the matchup. Kansas City’s relievers have combined to go 29-18 (.617) this year with a 3.33 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, while converting 53-of-64 (83%) save opportunities. Closer Greg Holland (1.44 ERA, 46 saves) was tremendous in the regular season where he struck out 13 batters per nine innings, but despite pitching a scoreless inning on Wednesday, Holland walked three of the six batters that he faced.

Jered Weaver had a solid season in terms of wins and losses, but saw his other numbers rise, as his ERA and HR rate have gone up in each of the past four years. He allowed 1.14 HR/9 in 2014, the most of his career, and was lucky with batters hitting a mere .267 BABIP against him. Weaver will not blow anyone away with his fastball, which sits at an average of 86.8 MPH, but he still manages to confuse hitters, striking out 7.1 batters per nine innings while walking a fairly low 2.7 per nine. His last outing of the year could have left a sour taste for fans has he allowed four runs on nine hits (3 HRs) over six innings in a loss to Seattle, but relishes the spotlight with a career 2-1 record and 2.61 ERA in six career playoff games (3 starts). When facing the Royals, Weaver has been tremendous, going 7-4 (8-4 team record) with a 2.21 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, and has allowed a meager four runs in his past six starts facing them (41.1 IP). OF Raul Ibanez does not get too many at-bats, but could go against Weaver, as he is 15-for-36 (.417) with three doubles, four homers and 7 RBI in the matchup. Both DH Billy Butler (6-for-29, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6 K's) and OF Alex Gordon (4-for-24, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 9 K's) have hit a homer against the veteran, but haven't done much else. The Angels’ bullpen is 30-22 (.577) with a solid 3.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while converting 46-of-62 (74%) saves. Closer Huston Street (1.37 ERA, 41 saves) was a great addition at midseason and was 17-for-19 with a 1.71 ERA in his 28 games after joining Los Angeles.