Kansas City Royals or San Francisco Giants: Who wins the World Series?
Oct 16, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Travis Ishikawa (45) is greeted on the base path by starting pitcher Jake Peavy (22) after a walk off three run home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning of game five of the 2014 NLCS playoff at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 World Series will feature the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals, with Game 1 being on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 8:07 ET on FOX.
Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields brings out the American League championship trophy back out to the field for fans after game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals swept the Orioles to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s take a look at both teams and how they match up, and who do you think will be the World Series champions … the Royals or the Giants? (Vote in the poll above).
• Starting pitching
Advantage: Giants
With Madison Bumgarner, Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong as the likely starters, the Giants will have edge in that department.
The Royals will counter with James Shields, Yordano Ventura, Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas. If this is the rotation both teams go with (it was in the LCS) the Giants should have the advantage.
• Relief pitching
Advantage: Royals
The Royals may have the best bullpen in the game, with Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis setting up Greg Holland.
Rookie Brandon Finnegan has been good from the left side, and righty Jason Frasor has been solid as well.
The Giants bullpen is excellent as well, with former closer Sergio Romo and Jean Machi setting up closer Santiago Casilla. Jeremy Affeldt has been good from the left side, and Yusmeiro Petit has been able to go multiple innings.
• Offense: Slight edge to the Giants
Both teams play similar styles of offense, centered around small ball and speed. The Giants hit home runs more often, and the Royals have more speed. It should be interesting to see how the Giants play in an American League park, considering they will have to use the DH.
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• Defense: Royals
The Royals have arguably the best defensive team in baseball, with several Gold Glove candidates.
While the Giants have some good hard nosed, smart players (Buster Posey, Hunter Pence) they do not rise to the athleticism of the Royals players. This Royals team has the best range in all of baseball, and while the Giants play smart defensively, they are a notch below Kansas City.
• Speed: Royals
Kansas City has several speed burners on their team. Once the game gets late, they can bring Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore in to pinch run.
Not to mention Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Norichika Aoki, among others can all run. While Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco can run some, the Giants really aren’t a base stealing team.
• Prediction: Royals in 6
While I don’t think the Royals will sweep their way through the playoffs, I do think they will win the World Series. The Giants starters may make it tough on them, however their speed and defense should be enough to get them a ring.