The Kansas City Royals played in the World Series last fall and very nearly took down the San Francisco Giants, but they've ridden a considerably different roster to the Fall Classic this October.

There were only 12 players on Kansas City's 25-man roster for the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays that also played in last year's World Series. The turnover was largely on the pitching staff. Only four hurlers were on both rosters, including just one starter (Yordano Ventura).

"This is a different team," Ned Yost acknowledged, "but we play the same."