The Royals advanced to the American League Divisional Series against the Yankees with their two-game win over the Orioles. The quick series allows the Royals to get some rest with two days off before beginning the series on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

The team announced that Michael Wacha will start the opening game against the Yankees, while Cole Ragans will play in Game 2. Ragans left Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Orioles after six innings and 80 pitches because of leg cramps. Wacha was scheduled to start Game 3 against the Orioles, but that game wasn’t necessary after the Royals won the first two games.

Wacha hasn’t played against the Yankees this season, but he has pitched well against them in the past with a 2-1 record and a 2.97 ERA in ’57 ²⁄₃ innings. He has a 3.38 ERA in 34 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium, allowing six home runs.

The Yankees will start right-hander Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) in Game 1 and left-hander Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) in Game 2. Cole didn’t face the Royals this year, but he was already a tough postseason pitcher with a 2.93 ERA in 17 career starts. Rodón gave up five runs (three earned) in 13 innings against the Royals, beating them in Kansas City in June and making a no-decision in a Yankees win in New York in September. He has a career 4.66 ERA in 13 starts against the Royals and this will be just his second postseason start.

The starters for the remainder of the series have yet to be determined, but Seth Lugo would likely start in Game 3 in Kansas City.