Royals tinker with rotation, set up for potential post-season

The Royals have apparently tinkered with their rotation to set things up for a potential post-season, according to beat writer Andy McCullough.

KC appears to have fiddled with their rotation for Detroit. The game notes list Vargas on Friday, Shields on Saturday and Guthrie on Sunday.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) September 16, 2014

So, building off the match-ups I wrote earlier, it looks like this is how the Royals match-up down the stretch. Keep in mind the Tigers are also considering altering their pitching match-ups this weekend. Also, White Sox starter Scott Carroll left his last start with a broken fingernail. If he is unable to go for his next start, the White Sox may go back to a five-man rotation, meaning Chris Sale could pitch in the last series of the year against the Royals. So get healthy Scott Carroll.

Here are potential match-ups (subject to change, of course). Numbers listed are ERA, followed by FIP.

September 16-17 vs. Chicago White Sox

RHP Liam Hendriks (5.06, 4.32) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (4.73, 3.50)

RHP Yordano Ventura (3.27, 3.65) vs. LHP Chris Sale (2.09, 2.50)

September 19-21 vs. Detroit Tigers

LHP Jason Vargas (3.41, 3.74) vs. LHP Kyle Lobstein (3.58, 3.95)

RHP James Shields (3.15, 3.54)  vs. RHP Justin Verlander (4.81, 3.89)

RHP Jeremy Guthrie (4.35, 4.34) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (3.26, 2.88)

September 22-24 at Cleveland Indians

LHP Danny Duffy? (2.42, 3.68) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (2.45, 2.55)

RHP Yordano Ventura (3.27, 3.65) vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco (2.86, 2.70)

LHP Jason Vargas (3.41, 3.74) ) vs. RHP Danny Salazar (4.22, 3.79)

September 25-28 at Chicago White Sox

RHP James Shields (3.15, 3.54) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (3.30, 2.78)

RHP Jeremy Guthrie (4.35, 4.34) vs. RHP Scott Carroll (5.01, 4.88)

LHP Danny Duffy? (2.42, 3.68) vs. RHP Hector Noesi (4.38, 4.87)

RHP Yordano Ventura (3.27, 3.65) vs. LHP John Danks (4.88, 4.80)