The Royals celebrate after beating the Orioles 2-1 to complete an ALCS sweep and advance to the World Series. (Getty)
The San Francisco Giants will face the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.
The Giants advanced to the Series Thursday night on Travis Iskihawa’s dramatic three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 5 against the Cardinals. The 6-3 win capped a 4-1 NLCS victory that earns the Giants their third trip to the World Series in five years.
San Francisco, winners in 2010 and 2012, is gunning for its third championship in that span. The Giants have been dominant again this fall, losing only two games so far in the playoffs. But as hot as they’ve been, the Royals have been even hotter. Winners of eight straight playoff games, KC hasn’t lost a game this fall as they chase their first title since 1985.
Here’s a closer look at the 2014 World Series.
2014 World Series Schedule
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All Games on Fox; All Times TBD
GAME 1: October 21 at Kansas City
GAME 2: October 22 at Kansas City
GAME 3: October 24 at San Francisco
GAME 4: October 25 at San Francisco
GAME 5: October 26 at San Francisco, if necessary
GAME 6: October 28 at Kansas City, if necessary
GAME 7: October 29 at Kansas City, if necessary
“Amercia’s Pregame,” hosted by Mike Hill and Molly McGrath, airs prior to each game.
Live streaming is available through the FOX Sports GO app and for subscribers at MLB.tv.
Odds to Win the 2014 World Series
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Updated World Series odds from @LVSuperBook
#Royals 6/5
#Giants 9/5
#Cardinals 4/1
#Orioles 8/1
VegasInsider.com has the Royals 4/5 favorites to win the series. The Giants were facing 11/10 odds to win. The Royals might want those odds reversed though.
According to USA Today:
In an odd quirk that speaks to the unpredictability of baseball’s postseason, every World Series favorite this postseason has either lost their playoff series or is currently losing one. It’s been the baseball kiss of death in 2014.
While Kansas City is the favorite in heading into the World Series, before the season started the Royals faced longer odds than the Giants to win it all.
Prediction for the Winner of the 2014 World Series
This is going to be a good one. These two clubs are so similar. They are both wildcard teams, the first two to advance this far since the new playoff format began. They both won less than 90 games in the regular season, but the Royals and Giants are peaking at just the right time. The Royals haven’t lost a game in the playoffs and the Giants have only lost two.
Both of these scarppy, gutty teams are bolstered by prickly bullpens, but San Francisco has a knack for getting big hits in clutch moments. Look no further than Game 5 against the Cardinals Thursday night. The Giants have been here before, they are battle tested and they’re chasing an historic run. Kansas City’s been a great story, but the Giants have too many weapons.
HEAVY PICK: GIANTS IN 7
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Giants vs. Royals: Schedule, Odds & Predictions