World Series Prediction

The Fall Classic begins

At the beginning of the 2014 Major League Baseball season, I did have bot the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants to be wild card teams but not to advance far beyond that. Now we have them squaring off for the title.

The way I saw them in my MLB Season Preview:

Kansas City Royals (86-76)

The Royals may supplant Cleveland as a wildcard team this season backing up from their second half of the season run last year. Full of young talent with a year's worth of big league experience and more waiting in the wings, this team will be exciting to watch. Look for Mike Moustakas to have that breakthrough season finally after a couple of teasers in the past two years. Greg Holland was quietly the AL's best closer for the leagues best bullpen last year so expect close to the same if not better from this underrated staff.

2014 Record Prediction: 91-71

San Francisco Giants (76-86)

The Giants will bounce back from their sub par performance of last season but may fall short of the post season again. Though older, the majority of the 2012 World Series championship squad is intact but others have improved around them so they may not make it into October.

2014 Season Prediction: 91-71

I picked against the Giants throughout the playoffs and they have proved me wrong as with the Royals though I did pick KC to beat Baltimore. 

So looking at this series, I think it may come down to the depth of each teams pitching staff, and even though the Giants are more experienced, I would give a slight edge there to KC along with overall speed offensively. When speed is factored in, you will have to look at the defensive performance of Buster Posey and whether or not he and the Giant hurlers can keep the Royals at bay. Conversely, KC pitchers will have to limit the offensive output of Hunter Pence, Pablo Sandoval, Mike Morse and Posey to no breakout type games that could turn the tide of everything. 

The Royals will have to win their home games and look for a surprise on San Fran. They may do just that.....

World Series Prediction:

Kansas City Royals 4-2

Game 1 Pick:

KC 4-2

Enjoy the games!