Vargas earned the win Monday, allowing just two runs in five innings against the Indians. Monday marked just the second time this year Vargas has allowed fewer than five runs in a game, though his did walk five in the start. Vargas will carry a 5.95 ERA and 1.73 WHIP into his start this weekend against the Tigers.

Vargas struck out four and walked one while allowing five runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings Tuesday against the Twins. He did not factor in the decision. Little has changed with Vargas, as he's best utilized in AL-only formats or as an occasional streaming option in deep mixed leagues. Even in a matchup as favorable as Tuesday's, he's prone to getting knocked around, however.

Vargas (1-1) was chased without getting an out in the fourth inning Thursday in Minnesota after allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk. If anything, Vargas got lucky with his final line, as Jason Frasor entered with the bases loaded and no one out in the fourth inning and escaped the jam. As a mediocre pitcher, Vargas is susceptable to bad games like this, and he's mostly usable only as lineup filler in AL-only formats.

Vargas struck out three and walked one while allowing two runs on five hits over six innings to earn the victory against the Angels on Friday night. He consistently stayed ahead of the Angels' lineup, throwing 16 first-pitch strikes to the 23 batters that he faced. Not surprisingly, Vargas recorded just six swinging strikes, as he'll often pitch to contact and lean on the elite defense playing behind him. Vargas is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at Target Field against the Twins.

Vargas was rattled once again in Monday's Cactus League matchup with the Rangers, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings pitched. It was the third time this spring that Vargas has allowed five or more runs, as the 32-year-old veteran seems to be backing his way into the season's opening week. He admitted after Monday's game that he had difficulty getting ahead in counts, describing this aspect as "the cause of most problems," per the Kansas City Star. Although the left-hander has a rotation spot locked down, owners outside of deeper and AL-only formats may want to temper expectations.

Vargas will start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Orioles on Wednesday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. Manager Ned Yost wants to get James Shields and Yordano Ventura some extra rest, so he'll turn to Vargas, who gave up two runs on three hits over six innings against the Angels in Game 1 of the ALDS. The skipper admitted his decision might have been different if his team wasn't already up 2-0 in the series.

Royals manager Ned Yost said Vargas will "probably" start Game 4 of the ALCS against the Orioles on Tuesday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. Vargas gave up a pair of homers in Game 1 of the ALDS, after posting a 6.57 ERA in his final five starts of the regular season, but Yost will stick with him in the rotation and keep fellow lefty Danny Duffy as the long man out of the bullpen. The Game 4 start will come at Kauffman Stadium, where Vargas has a 4.53 ERA and .289 BAA this season.

Vargas will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Angels on Thursday, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports. The decision to use Yordano Ventura in relief during Tuesday's AL Wild Card game effectively cemented Vargas in as the probable Game 1 starter for Kansas City. While Vargas has posted respectable overall numbers this season, he struggled in September (6.57 ERA), and gave up seven runs on 12 hits over 10.1 innings in his two starts against the AL West champion Angels during the regular season.

Vargas gave up four runs on four hits over four innings in a no-decision against Cleveland on Wednesday. The Tribe plated the eventual game-winning run against Brandon Finnegan in the fifth inning, keeping the slim playoff hopes alive for Cleveland and pulling the Royals further away from overtaking the Tigers in the AL Central race. Vargas seems unlikely to start the Wild Card Game next week if the Royals fall short of winning the division, as the rotation order will likely be shuffled to optimize matchups.

Vargas was rocked for five runs on nine hits, he did not walk a batter, and struck out one while lasting just 3.1 innings in a 10-1 loss to the Tigers on Friday night. The Tigers were roaring against Vargas (11-10, 3.59 ERA) and continued the onslaught against the Royals' bullpen after he departed. Vargas has struggled of late, and with Kansas City involved in a hotly-contested playoff race, he's going to need to step up in his final start against the White Sox in Chicago.