2014 World Series Preview
Looking at the everyday Royals vs. Giants lineups is a study in contrasting experiences. The Giants have a slew of players that have contributed to two World Series championships but that aside no player had a particularly great regular season.
Gambling on the World Series
San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals
World Series Odds: Giants -105 / Royals -115
World Series Game 1 Odds: Giants -105 / Royals -105
World Series Game 1 Over/Under Odds: O/U 6.5
***2014 MLB Betting BONUSES***
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World Series Schedule:
Tuesday October 21 – @ Kansas City
Wednesday October 22 – @ Kansas City
Friday October 24 – @ San Francisco
Saturday October 25 – @ San Francisco
Sunday October 26 – @ San Francisco (if necessary)
Tuesday October 28 – @ Kansas City (if necessary)
Wednesday October 29 – @ Kansas City (if necessary)
Matchup Insight >>
World Series Breakdowns
Lineup
Buster Posey is probably the best hitter on either club and neither club has a slugger that needs to be overly feared.
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The Giants put more runs on the board than Kansas City but they have never been known for their offensive prowess. Their X-factor is Pablo Sandoval who has proven again that he turns it on when the lights are brightest. Can someone do the same for the Royals.
Advantage – San Francisco but it is closer than you think.
Bench
On the bench the Royals are loaded with speed and they have been putting it to good use. Terrence Gore has no at bats but three steals in the playoffs and he and Jarrod Dyson make it is impossible to relax at times.
The Giants depth took a hit with Angel Pagan being out indefinitely and they won’t be overly helped when they get to add a DH to the lineup.You can’t win the World Series on bench strength alone but it might win a game and that can be all the difference.
Advantage – Kansas City. The series is likely to be tight and the total team will win it.
Rotation
There should be a nice battle between Madison Bumgarner and James Shields in the opener but after that the advantage tilts to the Giants. I love the long term potential of the Royals staff but for today and tomorrow I would rather have the veterans Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy over what K.C. will offer.
Statistically Shields has not been dominant in the playoffs and the Royals will need him to set the tone for the series.
Advantage – San Francisco. Bumgarner has been out of this world in the playoffs.
Bullpen
There are some saying the Royals might have the best bullpen ever and it is hard to disagree. Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland all have wicked stuff and they have been fantastic in the playoffs, continuing their dominance. The one thing they lack is having done it before like some of the Giants arms have.
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I am all for experience but having watched these guys repeatedly there does not seem to be too much to be concerned with for KC. Not only are they putting up great number in the playoffs but they are doing so in super tight games.
It has been thoroughly impressive.
Advantage – Kansas City. Kids or no kids I will take their pen against anybody’s, especially now
Manager
This seems like the biggest mismatch between the two clubs so it begs the question of just how much it really matters. I do think there is an advantage for the Giants but a manager in these situations can not really win it for their team…maybe they can lose it, maybe. Bruce Bochy already two World Series wins which puts him light years ahead of pretty much any manager currently in the game.
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Advantage – San Francisco…but again, will it really matter.
4* FREE Prediction: Kansas City Royals…in six
I suppose it is lame to say it but whichever team takes G1 wins the series. The Royals have been out of their minds and they will drop a game but in the opener James Shields gets it done. With Bumgarner no longer automatic the Giants will drop the first two at home before recovering when the series returns to San Francisco.
After they tie up the series it will be for either team to take but Kansas City will fulfill its destiny.
Or something like that.
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