KANSAS CITY -- There was little panic in the Royals¡¯ clubhouse following their 3-2 loss in Game 3 of the American League Division Series to the Yankees on Wednesday night. There was also focus on the game ahead and confidence with right-hander Michael Wacha taking the mound.

¡°We¡¯ve got confidence in everybody in this clubhouse,¡± Michael Massey said. ¡°Guys have been doing it all year, so we have a ton of trust in Michael and the bullpen as well to follow. So just got to go out and play a good game tomorrow and get back to what we do.¡±

Wacha is tasked with leading the Royals to a win in Game 4 on Thursday night, which would force a winner-take-all Game 5 in New York on Saturday. The stakes may be high, but Wacha said that for him, every game is a ¡°must-win¡± in his mind.

¡°I don't really think about the leash too much,¡± Wacha said before the game on Wednesday. ¡°I want to go out there and give our guys a chance to win a ballgame just like any other start throughout the season. And this one is no different. Want to get out there, hopefully go deep and give our guys a chance to win a ballgame.¡±

That is the approach the Royals must keep while also keeping in mind the ¡°gravity of the situation,¡± according to manager Matt Quatraro.

Wacha will face New York for a second time during this Series. He threw four innings during the 6-5 loss in Game 1 on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits, including a homer by Yankees leadoff hitter Gleyber Torres. Wacha threw 70 pitches (44 strikes).

¡°Wacha's game, I felt like that was pretty high leverage right from the get-go, having second and third, nobody out and working pretty hard through those first couple innings,¡± Quatraro said.

Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has slashed .056/.190/.056 with 11 strikeouts against Wacha in 21 career plate appearances during the regular season. Judge faced the right-hander twice on Saturday night and struck out in his first at-bat, then flied out to center field in his second plate appearance.

¡°I try to make quality pitches. I really do,¡± Wacha said about facing Judge. ¡°I mentioned that the other night. Just try to make quality pitches to a guy like that. He's an unbelievable player. He can do damage. He hits for average and drives in a lot of guys whenever they're on base. You've just got to make quality pitches just like everyone else in that lineup.¡±

Wacha is no stranger to playing in high-stakes postseason games. He pitched as a rookie for the Cardinals during the playoffs in 2013, even making an appearance in Game 6 of the World Series.

Knowing his past experience and his track record under pressure, Wacha¡¯s teammates are excited to see the 33-year-old in action again.

Their season will depend on it.

¡°He¡¯s had an incredible year, pitched a lot of big games for us, won a lot of games for us, too,¡± Brady Singer said. ¡°Obviously a pitcher that the moment never gets too big. He¡¯s pitched in a lot of postseason games, so we¡¯re excited to watch him tomorrow.¡±

Wacha said he is excited to pitch in front of the Royals¡¯ fans, especially after watching playoff baseball in Kansas City in the past.

¡°Pitching in front of your home crowd, it's a familiar mound that you've been on a lot. That part is nice for sure,¡± Wacha said. ¡°Won¡¯t be getting -- at least I don't think I will be getting -- ragged in the bullpen warming up or anything like that. There are some differences for sure. Pitching in a hostile environment on the road compared to pitching in your home park. But looking forward to getting out there.¡±