The Royals will host the Giants for the first two games of the 2014 World Series, which is slated to begin Tuesday night. Manager Ned Yost announced this afternoon who will start those games for his club:
Prior to today's workout, Manager Ned Yost announced that James Shields will start Game 1, Yordano Ventura in Game 2. #TakeTheCrown
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) October 18, 2014
It’s no surprise to see Shields get the call for Game 1. He hasn’t quite lived up to his “Big Game James” nickname by posting a 5.63 ERA over three starts this postseason, but he had a 3.21 ERA and 180/44 K/BB ratio over 227 innings during the regular season. He’s the closest thing Kansas City has to an ace.
As for Ventura, he gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Orioles in Game 2 of the ALCS on October 11 before leaving with shoulder tightness, but it’s obviously not a major concern. The hard-throwing right-hander has allowed seven runs in 13 innings (over two starts and one relief appearance) during the postseason and compiled a 3.20 ERA with 159 strikeouts and 69 walks over 183 innings during the regular season.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy hasn’t announced how he’ll line up his starters yet, but it’s believed that he’ll go with Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy for the first two games of the Fall Classic.