In a nostalgic showdown reminiscent of past Major League Baseball playoffs, the Kansas City Royals are ready to take the stage.

On Saturday, the Royals will step onto the field at Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the American League Division Series, reviving a rivalry that was intense from 1977 to 1980. This marks the first time in 44 years that these two teams, representing the Midwest and the Bronx, have faced off.

While they will have top-notch scouting analytics at their disposal, the Royals have built their surprising 86-win roster – a stark turnaround from 2023’s 106-loss season – utilizing a mix of modern strategies.

Interestingly, even in a time when starting pitchers often take a backseat in playoff games, the Royals proudly maintain that their success hinges on the strong performance of their four main pitchers.

This confidence has already paid off: Young star Cole Ragans, promising pitcher Brady Singer, and seasoned veterans Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha each started between 29 and 33 games this season, contributing to a total of 126 starts—the highest among all playoff teams.

In the scrutinized arena of playoff baseball, their strong foundation has led them to New York: Ragans and Lugo allowed just one earned run across their two wild-card series starts against Baltimore, with Ragans setting a strong tone with six dominant shutout innings in Game 1, which propelled the Royals to a two-game sweep.

This may even set the stage for a deeper playoff run.

Wacha is set to take the mound on Saturday night in the Bronx against reigning Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole—13 years after both began their journeys in the MLB with impressive performances for St. Louis and Pittsburgh, respectively, in the National League Division Series.

Now, at 33 years old, Wacha is enjoying the dynamics of a Kansas City pitching staff that beautifully blends youthful energy with seasoned experience.

“I’ve been in this league for quite some time now, so I carry a wealth of experience,” says Wacha. “I’ve experienced some exceptional highs as well as some tough lows. This allows me to connect with many different players. I’m always ready to assist the younger players or rookies in any way possible and motivate them to believe in their potential at this level.

“However, while I feel they can learn from me, I also gain a lot from them.”

For now, the team members are unity, following Ragans’ lead.

‘We’ve got something special’

The 26-year-old Ragans was named an All-Star this season, and although his 186 ⅓ innings and 135 adjusted ERA don’t quite match Lugo’s 206 and 140, his 223 strikeouts rank second in the AL, making him a clear choice for Game 1.

His dominant performance against the Orioles—striking out eight over six scoreless innings—was just another step in his development since the Royals traded for him from Texas for relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman in June 2023.

“He’s exceeded our expectations,” says general manager J.J. Picollo. “When we acquired him, we certainly saw him as a valuable part of the starting rotation.

“But by the time last season ended, it became clear we had something truly exceptional.”

Basing his success on a solid sample size, Ragans has logged 44 starts with Kansas City, posting a 3.00 ERA and 312 strikeouts over 258 innings, flourishing given the chance he’s been provided.

Lugo shares a similar story.

Over seven seasons with the New York Mets, he shifted between various roles—starter, reliever, closer, and swing man. His talent was evident, but his position was inconsistent.

Finally, in 2023, he settled into a consistent role after signing a one-year contract with San Diego, achieving a 3.57 ERA over 26 starts. Then, he received a call from Kansas City.

After enduring three consecutive 100-loss seasons since their 2015 World Series win, and with stars like shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Ragans in place, Picollo felt the timing was right to invest. He recognized Lugo’s standout year in San Diego and signed him to a three-year, $45 million deal.

Lugo has since led the majors in innings pitched and is expected to finish among the top five in AL Cy Young voting. The appreciation for the team goes both ways.

“I owe a lot to the organization,” says Lugo. “To pitch as many innings as I did required execution, but also the opportunity they provided for me to do so.

“I’m extremely grateful.”

‘One of the brightest minds I’ve worked with’

After moving between four teams in just four seasons, Wacha was excited when he saw Lugo join the Royals. They had been teammates on the Mets during the shortened 2020 season and again in San Diego in 2023.

The native of Texarkana felt a strong connection with the Louisiana-born Lugo. Now, a fresh opportunity lay ahead.

“J.J. outlined his vision for the team and its future,” says Wacha. “When I noticed Lugo had signed with the Royals just a week or two before I did, I recognized his contributions.

“He’s truly one of the smartest individuals I’ve encountered, especially in terms of pitching strategy.”

Wacha is on board,

Signed to a two-year contract worth $32 million, he went on to start 29 games, the highest number since 2017, and logged 166 ⅓ innings, marking the most since 2015. Most notably, he successfully formed a strong quartet, which manager Matt Quatraro had envisioned.

“Knowing Wacha the way I did,” said Quatraro, who served as Tampa Bay’s bench coach during Wacha’s 2021 season, “I’m not at all surprised that he served as a unifying force. Ragans really absorbs all things baseball, and Brady, as we’ve discussed for a couple of years, is ultra-competitive and thrives in a challenging environment; he was determined to get back to his top form.

“I didn’t know Seth before this year, but on the very first day, I noticed his diligent approach to his bullpen sessions. He put in significant prep work and made a point to stick around and watch his teammates throw their bullpens. Their connection started to feel very natural early on, and they seemed to bond effortlessly.”

Currently, they find themselves in a traditional showdown between a major market and a small market, facing the Yankees, who boast a payroll of $310 million—more than double Kansas City’s $122 million. However, the Royals are presently on equal ground, and following two victories in Baltimore, they will host their first playoff games at Kauffman Stadium in nearly ten years.

“I anticipate a thrilling atmosphere,” said Lugo, who is set to showcase his impressive 10-pitch repertoire during a Game 3 start on Wednesday in Kansas City. “I’m thrilled for them.”

After an off day following Game 1, Ragans is slated to pitch Game 2 at Yankee Stadium. He believes that the team is confident in their successful formula, which is about to face a significant challenge.

Ragans will bring not only his powerful 96 mph fastball and lethal slider to the mound, but he will also benefit from the guidance of his teammates, including Lugo, Wacha, and veteran closer Will Smith, alongside several experienced players who help support the younger talents like Ragans and Witt as they earn the spotlight.

“When you incorporate players who have experienced postseason play, they understand what’s needed throughout the season to reach this point and go even further,” Ragans explained. “The wealth of knowledge in our clubhouse is immense. These players have been around the game for a long time and are fantastic people. It’s incredibly easy to talk with them about everything.”

“They are not only exceptional players, but they are also even more remarkable individuals.”