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Kansas City Royals' Edinson Volquez knows tough match-up awaits in Houston

By The Sports Xchange
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez knows what is looming Sunday.

Volquez will start the American League Divisional Series Game 3 at Houston. The Astros will counter with left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who is 15-0 with a 1.46 ERA in 18 starts this season at Minute Maid Park.

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"I'm the lucky one," Volquez said and smiled about the challenge of matching up with Keuchel.

Volquez faced a similar challenge last year with the Pirates, starting the wildcard game against the Giants, who started left-hander Madison Bumgarner. Volquez was the losing pitcher, allowing five runs on five hits over five innings, while Bumgarner shut out the Pirates to begin his historical 2014 postseason run.

"It's not a regular game," Volquez said of postseason games. "You can go crazy with it. You just have to find a way to pitch your own game."

Volquez is 5-5 with a 3.63 ERA in 18 road games this year, including 17 starts. He went 8-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 Kauffman Stadium starts. Volquez was 5-5 with a 3.82 ERA after the All-Star break.

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The Royals have had some success against opposing aces this year, including beating Keuchel 5-1 on July 26 at Kansas City.

"That's good news," Volquez said. "We know we're going to face one of the best guys in the American League, in baseball. We're going to be ready for him, and I'm pretty sure he's going to be ready for us."

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