Collin McHugh will start for Astros in Game 5

Their rousing comeback to force the series back to Kansas City drew comparisons to their comeback against Oakland in last year’s wild-card game, when they dug out of a similar four-run hole in the eighth inning against Jon Lester and the A’s. It took Kansas City’s hitters and a few solid innings from his bullpen to get no-decision in a 5-4 victory that evened the series.

It’ll be the Kansas City Royals doing battle with the Toronto Blue Jays in this year’s American League Championship Series.

The decisive game of a playoff series, their season on the line.

Houston’s 2-3 lead remained unchanged several innings until the bottom of the seventh.

“I woke up today on the right foot”, Cueto said.

“One thing this team does very well, every game we play, we just go out and play our game”, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said.

Cueto probably could have finished it off himself – he only needed 91 pitches to get through eight – but Royals manager Ned Yost turned to dominant right-hander Wade Davis in the top of the ninth and the newly-anointed closer retired all three batters he faced. I think we all did. “It’ll be a fun series to watch”. Then, Gordon grounded, driving in a run from Hosmer. The Royals won game four, final score 9-6, to tie up the series.

McHugh allowed 2 runs – both on home runs by Kendrys Morales – and 6 hits over 6 innings against the Royals in Game 1, shrugging off a 49-minute rain delay in the process. “We didn’t scratch much off him”.

But Kansas City was not content with just a 7-6 lead. First, Cain singled to center, driving in a run from Rios. But by the fifth, the Royals had figured out McHugh’s darting curveball.

Hinch thought for a moment, approached the pitcher’s mound, and after a long, five-second discussion, he decided Correa was right. This from a guy who posted a 4.76 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 81 1/3 innings after being acquired from the Reds in July. That brought the game to a 2-0 start. Cueto was good enough on his own. “We didn’t get a baserunner after the second, is that right? This was his night”. He rose to the occasion.