The Blue Jays will use the same starting pitchers in the AL Championship Series against the Royals as they did in the AL Division Series, only in a slightly different order.
The club announced Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.13 ERA in the regular season) will start Game 1 in Kansas City on Friday followed by David Price (9-1, 2.30 ERA with Toronto) in Game 2, Marcus Stroman (4-0, 1.67 ERA) in Game 3, and R.A. Dickey (11-11, 3.91 ERA) in Game 4.
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Estrada is the Jays' most rested starter, as is his Game 1 opponent, the Royals' Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA). After posting the lowest ERA of his eight-year career, Estrada continued to shine in his outing against the Rangers in Game 3 of the ALDS, allowing one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings.
The Royals will counter with Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08 ERA) in Game 2 and Johnny Cueto (4-7, 4.76 ERA with KC) in Game 3. Manager Ned Yost didn't announce a Game 4 starter but Kris Medlen (6-2, 4.01 ERA) would be the likely choice unless Yost decides to pitch Volquez again.
The Jays got the best of the Royals in the regular season, winning four of seven games and outscoring Kansas City, 39-33. First pitch in Game 1 is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.