The Royals had great expectations for right-handed pitcher Yordano Ventura when he made his major-league debut in 2013.
Postseason workhorse is a bonus.
When Ventura makes his first start of the American League Championship Series on Saturday, he’ll extend the distinction of being the only pitcher to earn at least one start in each of the Royals’ playoff series over the last two years.
If he records four outs against the Toronto Blue Jays, Ventura will pass Bret Saberhagen for fifth place in career playoff innings pitched among Royals, and there’s a chance that by the time the postseason ends, Ventura could be No.