2014 World Series Predictions: Royals or Giants?
By Adam Hughes
Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Orioles in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals swept the Orioles to advance to the World Series. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Even though our team long ago packed it in, that doesn’t mean Cincinnati Reds fans can’t enjoy the grandeur of the World Series about to unfold before our eyes. And part of the joy of sports is making predictions, so here are the Riverfront Ball picks as the Kansas City Royals take the field to host the San Francisco Giants tonight in Kauffman stadium.
World Series Winner: Kansas City Royals in 6 Games
The thing about this World Series is that I really want to see about three or four different outcomes. I would love to see the Royals magical unbeaten streak continue and have them sweep the Series. [related-post]
But that would rob us of the drama of a knockdown, drag-out Series that could lead us right into the holiday season. So, I would also love to see a seven-game nail-biter, with the Royals prevailing.
Then again, the Giants have something magical of their own going on, and it would be pretty cool to see such an underwhelming regular-season team button up their third title in five years.
What I think will happen, though, is that the Royals will finally lose a couple of games, maybe even tonight against Madison Bumgarner. KC won’t allow many runs, though, and in most of the games, they’ll get to their nasty bullpen either tied or with a lead, and then it will be over.
World Series MVP: Greg Holland
Kansas City closer Greg Holland might get in to every game in this World Series, and if he does, that’s very good for the Royals. These games promise to be 2-1, 1-0, 3-2 affairs, and that would only amplify Holland’s importance. In the end, he could end up with something like six innings pitched and 15 strikeouts, which would be hard to ignore.
World Series MVP Alternate: Madison Bumgarner
If the Giants end up taking home the trophy, it will most likely be because Bumgarner was their ace, as usual. Three wins in this best-of-seven Series are not out of the question for Bumgarner, and if that happens, he’s the easy MVP.
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Whatever happens tonight, and from now until October 29, it’s been a great post-season so far. If the Reds can’t play in October, the next best thing is to witness a little autumn magic.