The KC Royals will open their best-of-five American League Division Series (ALDS) Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium against the Houston Astros.
Kansas City captured home field advantage throughout the playoffs by going 95-67 during the regular season, which was the best record in the American League. Conversely, the Houston Astros qualified for the playoffs as the American League’s second wild card with a 86-76 season in the A.L. West. The Astros defeated the Yankees 3-0 in New York Tuesday night to earn a shot at dethroning the defending American League Champion Royals.
In many ways, the Astros are like the KC Royals were last season: a young, up-and-coming team hoping to catch momentum in the playoffs.