SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Edinson Volquez will start the Kansas City Royals’ opener April 3 against the New York Mets in a rematch of the World Series Game 5, manager Ned Yost announced Saturday.
Matt Harvey, who started the final game of the World Series against Volquez, will be the Mets’ starter at Kauffman Stadium.
“When was the last time two starting pitchers pitched consecutive games? Game 5 starters are matching up again,” Yost said upon selecting Volquez.
Volquez, who was 13-9 with a 3.55 ERA last season and limited the Mets to five runs over two starts in the World Series, joked to Yost, “What about Ventura?”
Yordano Ventura, the 2015 opening day starter, will start the third game, April 8, against the Minnesota Twins. Yost said he is pushing Ventura back because he has been battling the flu.
Ian Kennedy, who the Royals signed to a five-year $70 million contract in the offseason, will start the second game. Chris Young and Kris Medlen will complete the rotation.
With the Royals off three days during the first week, Yost said he would likely skip Medlen the initial time through the rotation.