Royals News: James Shields To Start Game 1 Of The ALCS

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The Kansas City Royals traded for "Big Game" James Shields in December of 2012 for moments like his ALDS-clinching victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

They also traded for him for moments like Game 1 of the ALCS against the Baltimore Orioles.

According to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star, Shields will take the ball in Baltimore:

No shock here: James Shields will start Game 1 on Friday.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) October 6, 2014

The 32-year-old will start on normal four days' rest with the gap in between Sunday's clincher and Friday's opener. Shields has allowed six runs in eleven postseason innings so far, and sports a 3-4 record and a 4.96 ERA in eight postseason starts.

For his career, however, he is 11-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 26 starts against the Baltimore Orioles. He's no stranger to the O's, having faced them plenty when he was a part of the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Chris Tillman is expected to take the ball opposite of Shields for Friday's 8:07pm EST first pitch.

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