Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
by Richard Rowell, Staff Writer
Eight games. Eight wins. The Kansas City Royals have won every single game that they have played this postseason: the Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics, three straight games against the Los Angeles Angels in the American League Division Series, and now four straight against the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series. After winning Game 4 by a score of 2 to 1, the Royals are going on to their third world series in team history, and their first since their victory in 1985. That team included the likes of George Brett and Bret Saberhagen. Most people expected some resistance from each the Angels and the Orioles, but the Royals extremely underrated pitching staff – which carried them to 89 wins during the regular season – came through when it mattered most.
Of course, the bullpen trifecta of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and closer Greg Holland was a bit part of why the Royals won all of these games. Anytime you only need six solid innings from your starter, and you go into the seventh inning with a lead with those guys in the bullpen, you’re not going to lose many games. Most people picked the Orioles to win this series, but you can’t win any series without producing offense. As Pedro Martinez pointed out in the TBS pre-game show, the absences of Chris Davis, Manny Machado, and Matt Wieters – three of their best hitters - truly did show when their line-up needed them the most. Machado and Wieters suffered season-ending injuries early on, and Chris Davis was suspended late in the 2014 season for the use of amphetamines – after already not having one of his better years.
It helps that the Royals had some offensive stars during the postseason on a team that isn’t known for their hitting prowess. Eric Hosmer led the way with a 1.370 OPS coming into today’s game (.462/.563/.808) with two home runs and seven runs batted in in 26 at-bats. But it’s been team speed (13 stolen bases in the post season against only 3 times caught stealing) that’s been the big difference. Also, the Kansas City defense, though it committed over 100 errors during the regular season, have shown their true prowess throughout the series with outfielders Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar leading the way with fantastic plays.
While the Orioles were basically in every game, the Royals bullpen was simply too much. As the TBS commentators pointed out at the clinching game’s conclusion, power pitching beats power hitting, and the meat of the Royals bullpen is all power. The Orioles lost Game One 8-6 (in a surprising slugfest), Game Two 6-4, and Game Three 2-1. Every game was decided by two runs or less, an area which is something that the Royals have excelled in all season.
At this time, Game 4 of the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals is yet to be played. Both would make a great matchup for the Royals who will be opening the World Series at home in Kauffman Stadium, due to the American League winning the World Series home field advantage during the 2014 All-Star Game. The Royals definitely look like the team to beat this year, and after I picked the Orioles to win in six games, I really find myself with no choice but to ride the hot hand and pick the Royals in five.
The Royals are the team of destiny. Now they just have to #takethecrown.
Of course, the bullpen trifecta of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and closer Greg Holland was a bit part of why the Royals won all of these games. Anytime you only need six solid innings from your starter, and you go into the seventh inning with a lead with those guys in the bullpen, you’re not going to lose many games. Most people picked the Orioles to win this series, but you can’t win any series without producing offense. As Pedro Martinez pointed out in the TBS pre-game show, the absences of Chris Davis, Manny Machado, and Matt Wieters – three of their best hitters - truly did show when their line-up needed them the most. Machado and Wieters suffered season-ending injuries early on, and Chris Davis was suspended late in the 2014 season for the use of amphetamines – after already not having one of his better years.
It helps that the Royals had some offensive stars during the postseason on a team that isn’t known for their hitting prowess. Eric Hosmer led the way with a 1.370 OPS coming into today’s game (.462/.563/.808) with two home runs and seven runs batted in in 26 at-bats. But it’s been team speed (13 stolen bases in the post season against only 3 times caught stealing) that’s been the big difference. Also, the Kansas City defense, though it committed over 100 errors during the regular season, have shown their true prowess throughout the series with outfielders Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar leading the way with fantastic plays.
While the Orioles were basically in every game, the Royals bullpen was simply too much. As the TBS commentators pointed out at the clinching game’s conclusion, power pitching beats power hitting, and the meat of the Royals bullpen is all power. The Orioles lost Game One 8-6 (in a surprising slugfest), Game Two 6-4, and Game Three 2-1. Every game was decided by two runs or less, an area which is something that the Royals have excelled in all season.
At this time, Game 4 of the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals is yet to be played. Both would make a great matchup for the Royals who will be opening the World Series at home in Kauffman Stadium, due to the American League winning the World Series home field advantage during the 2014 All-Star Game. The Royals definitely look like the team to beat this year, and after I picked the Orioles to win in six games, I really find myself with no choice but to ride the hot hand and pick the Royals in five.
The Royals are the team of destiny. Now they just have to #takethecrown.
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