ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — When Mike Trout asked Albert Pujols for advice on his playoff debut, the veteran slugger with two rings told baseball’s best young player to keep the same swing that finally got the Los Angeles Angels back into the October spotlight.

After nearly three full years of electrifying play, Trout reaches the milestone he craves most Thursday night when he runs out to center field at the Big A for the Angels’ AL Division Series opener.

The Angels are facing the Kansas City Royals, who must concoct a quick encore to their incredible 12-inning comeback victory in the wild-card game. Manager Ned Yost thinks his club will respond swiftly against the majors’ best regular-season team.

Angels ace Jered Weaver starts against good friend Jason Vargas, who pitched for Los Angeles last year.