Royals finalize roster, set World Series rotation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- The Kansas City Royals have decided to keep the same starting rotation in the World Series that they used in their American League Championship Series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

Manager Ned Yost said Tuesday before Game 1 at Kauffman Stadium that right-hander Jeremy Guthrie will start Game 3 and left-hander Jason Vargas will pitch Game 4 against the Giants at San Francisco on Saturday and Sunday.

Vargas will face Tim Hudson and Vargas will match up with Ryan Vogelsong.

Guthrie has pitched only once in the postseason, holding the Orioles to one run in five innings in Game 3 while not factoring in the decision. He was 13-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 32 stars.

Vargas is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA in two postseason starts after going 11-10 with a 3.71 ERA in 30 starts during the regular season.

***

The Royals made one change to their roster by subbing veteran infielder Jayson Nix for rookie infielder Christian Colon.

The addition of Nix gives the Royals two position players on their roster who have yet to have a hit for them. Nix is 0-for-8 with six strikeouts after being claimed from the Pittsburgh Pirates on waivers Aug. 28 and outfielder/pinch runner Terrance Gore has gone 0-for-1 after being called up from Class AAA Omaha on Aug. 31.

Nix is also with his fourth organization this year, beginning the season with the Philadelphia Phillies then moving on to the Tampa Bay Rays, Pirates and Royals.