Kansas City Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced Wednesday.

Pitching coach Dave Eiland told reporters of the decision shortly after the Royals clinched their second straight trip to the ALCS with a 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 5 of their division series.

Volquez will be pitching on regular rest after tossing 5 2/3 innings in the Royals' Game 3 loss to Houston.

The Blue Jays have yet to announce their starter for Game 1, though it appears to be either Marco Estrada or David Price. The left-handed Price would be pitching on short rest.

For Volquez, Friday's showdown marks his first appearance against the Blue Jays since he nearly plunked Josh Donaldson twice in a heated affair at Rogers Centre in August. The pair exchanged words during and after the game, which the Blue Jays won 5-2.

VOLQUEZ VS. BLUE JAYS

Date IP H R ER SO BB July 12 5.1 5 4 1 2 3 Aug 2 6 4 2 2 4 3

The veteran pitcher performed solidly in his first season with the Royals, throwing a career-high 200 1/3 innings with a 3.55 ERA across 33 starts.

Toronto punched its ticket to the ALCS with a wild Game 5 victory over the Texas Rangers.