It is the Avalanches who come through the Wildcard series to face the Royals, the only team to require all three games. After a 3-0 victory, followed by a 1-0 loss, the Avalanche bats turned up, winning the decider 12-3. So, a third postseason match up of all time, and the first since 2014 when the Royals beat the A’s 1-0 in the Wildcard round on their way to the World Series.
The Avalanche rode the best defence in the AL alongside great starting pitching (2nd SP ERA) to the playoffs. Al Kramer, Josh Carpenter, and Caleb Kuhlman all had ERA under 3.50, and, alongside Jeff Wulf, offer an even split of left and right handed pitching. The bullpen was led by Closer Chris Blalock, who combined a 2.96 ERA with 34 saves at an almost 90% success rate.
CF Sergio Rivera comfortably led the team in batting average (.281) as well as RBIs (89) while lead off LF Luis Moreno stole 53 bases. 3B Tim Martin has some pop in his bat, having hit 25 HRs to lead the team while they are without their elite SS Juan Batres, who is out for 4 weeks injured, which will weaken their infield defense.
The Royals won the regular season series 4-3.
Game 1 in Kansas City: Ben Lane vs Jeff Wulf (2035 2nd Round)
• Kansas City wins 4-2
• Lane (W): 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R
• Wulf (L): 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R
• Tsuguo Abe (SV): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Bob Crimi (2nd), Edgar Mir (5th, 2R)
• San Antonio HRs: Danny Lindsay (7th)
• 1-0 Kansas City
Game 2 in Kansas City: Ethan Chafin vs Caleb Kuhlman (2042 Trade DET)
• Kansas City wins 5-1
• Chafin (W): 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R
• Kuhlman: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R
• Mike Allen (L): 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R
• Kansas City HRs: Chris Albright (4th), Bobby Nickelberry (7th, 3R)
• 2-0 Kansas City
Game 3 in San Antonio: Dan Carrig vs Josh Carpenter (2039 Trade CWS)
• Kansas City wins 6-3
• Carrig (W): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R
• Carpenter (L): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R
• Nate Avis (SV): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• San Antonio HRs: Sergio Rivera (5th, 2R)
• 3-0 KANSAS CITY WINS
Series MVP: Bob Crimi (KC) .625 1 HR 4 R