Breaking down the American League Championship Series

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher

(48) pitches against the Detroit Tigers during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching

Both of these teams started this season with some questions in the starting rotation.

The Royals entered the season with a 37-year-old in Bruce Chen, a rookie in Yordano Ventura and just one guy, James Shields, with a career ERA under four entering the season. Danny Duffy jumped into the rotation mid-season, and the rotation put up the fourth-best ERA in the American League.

The Orioles added one of the most expensive additions to their rotation in the offseason, with the addition of Ubaldo Jimenez. But the big contract would not make the rotation any better, as Jimenez would be a combination of hurt and bad during the season. But the rest of the rotation for the Orioles made them number five  in the American League in ERA. They were tenth in the AL in innings pitched but they were able to rely on their deep bullpen.

Both of these teams are keeping their rotation close to the vest — only three starters have been announced to this point — so it’s hard to tell who will have the advantage, and with the season ERAs of the rotations seperated by 0.01, there’s no help there either. So, the rotations are a toss-up.

Even though the rotations posted good numbers this season, both of these teams are defined by their bullpens. The Orioles and Royals tied for the most saves in the American League with 53, and each had an ERA under 3.30. The Royals relied heavily on three main relievers, Kelvin Herrera (70 games), Wade Davis (71 games) and Greg Holland (65 games). These three relievers combined for a 1.28 ERA.

But the Orioles have a great trio of their own. Zach Britton(1.65 ERA), Darren O’Day(1.70 ERA) and Andrew Miller(2.02 ERA) make up one of the best used bullpen in the Major Leagues. The Orioles will have more depth, with some combination of Brian Matusz, T.J. McFarland and Miguel Gonzalez.

The Royals look like they are wearing down a bit, with Herrera leaving a game in the ALDS and Wade Davis getting hit hard, the Orioles have a narrow edge in bullpen. Plus, when Buck Showalter is pushing the buttons, the Orioles will be in a good position to hold a lead in the late innings.

The Orioles will have a small edge in pitching.