NEW YORK -- Michael Wacha smiled as he remembered his first postseason start in 2013. As a Cardinals rookie who was drafted just 16 months earlier in June 2012, he was tasked with starting a must-win Game 4 in the National League Division Series against the Pirates after making only nine starts for the Cardinals in the regular season.

"[There were] definitely some nerves,” Wacha said. “But I was lucky enough to have a lot of veterans on that team that I was able to bounce questions off of, kind of what to expect out there type of deal. That gave me [a] kind of peace of mind going out there.”

Their words stuck with him, and Wacha went on to allow one run over 7 1/3 innings, striking out nine in a 2-1 victory for St. Louis, which eventually made it to the World Series against the Red Sox.

Eleven years later, Wacha is a veteran in the Royals' rotation, preparing to face the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday. He still remembers the advice from his former teammates and will be taking those words with him to the mound at Yankee Stadium.

Coming off the Royals' sweep of the Orioles in the Wild Card Series, Wacha is charged with build off that momentum and set the tone in the best-of-five series against the No. 1 seed in the American League.

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The Yankees’ star-studded lineup will have a chance to crack the right-hander. AL MVP frontrunner Aaron Judge has gone 1-for-18 in his career against Wacha -- knocking his lone hit (a 114.6 mph single) when the starter played for San Diego. All-Star right fielder Juan Soto has gone 2-for-5 with an RBI against Wacha, while designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has fared better, at 4-for-17 with a homer and two doubles.

When it comes to facing Judge, Wacha admitted that he'll be more aware of throwing quality pitches because of the caliber of player he is throwing to -- as there's a bit more of a focus when facing a hitter with 58 homers and 144 RBIs on his resume -- but the 33-year-old tries to keep the same focus on every batter he faces.

• Royals-Yankees AL Division Series Game 1 FAQ

"Steep fastball downhill, attacks the strike zone, had a great changeup for the last 12 years,” said New York’s ace and Game 1 starter Gerrit Cole regarding Wacha. “Obviously he's comfortable in big situations. He's got a couple other wrinkles in there, good two-seam, good cutter, good curveball. He's been really good for a long time.”

The comfort came with time. Wacha has appeared in the postseason in four seasons of his career -- 2013-15 with the Cardinals and ‘21 with the Rays, totaling eight appearances (six starts).

Wacha plans on sharing that previous experience with his younger, more inexperienced teammates in the clubhouse, having stepped into the role of veteran leader.

"I can't say enough good things about him as a teammate,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “... He's high-fiving guys for keeping the double play in order, for breaking up a double play, for throwing to the right base. He's into every at-bat when his teammates are up there. He's looking for things with the other team when he's on the bench.

"When it comes to his own preparation and watching how he goes about it in planning, we have a lot of guys that are good and he's one of them. I think our younger pitchers have followed that lead.”

Ragans ready for Game 2 start in ALDS
Cole Ragans was announced as the starter of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Monday. The left-hander exited early after experiencing left leg cramps in his postseason debut in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Orioles on Tuesday.

"Completely fine,” Quatraro said of Ragans' status. “He was really OK that night or the next day. It was just one of those unfortunate things where those cramps -- they don't let up in the moment. He just had to get hydrated and get off of his legs for a little bit, but he's completely fine.”

While the Royals’ Game 3 starter has not been announced, Seth Lugo would be more than rested to take the mound for the first playoff game in Kansas City since 2015. In Game 2 of the Wild Card Series on Wednesday against the Orioles, Lugo allowed one run off five hits and one walk over 4 1/3 innings. He threw 82 pitches (50 strikes) and struck out six.

ALDS rosters to be announced on Saturday
The Royals are still finalizing their ALDS roster, which will be announced on Saturday morning. But it seems likely they'll go with the same roster as the Wild Card Series, with 11 pitchers and 15 position players. With off-days on Sunday and Tuesday and length in their bullpen in Daniel Lynch IV, Brady Singer and Michael Lorenzen, the Royals feel like they have innings covered. And they like being able to lean on their bench late in tight games.

If anything, the Royals could swap a position player they don't foresee playing much for a pitcher. Alec Marsh and Carlos Hernández were both left off the Wild Card Series roster. Rehabbing pitchers Will Smith (back spasms) and Chris Stratton (right forearm flexor strain) threw live batting practice on Friday afternoon. So did Steven Cruz, who was optioned on Sept. 25, to stay ready if needed.