2014 World Series

It may not be the World Series matchup any of us predicted, but the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals have proven throughout the postseason that they are the two best teams in Major League Baseball right now. 

When the playoffs began, if you predicted the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants to face off in the World Series, it's time to start playing the lottery. This may be an unlikely matchup for the MLB championship game, but it's poised to be a good one.

Pitchers for both the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals will have their hands full against opposing lineups in the World Series. Hitters from each team have been very good at creating tough at-bats while playing small ball and effectively manufacturing runs.

Every starter, reliever and closer will have a crucial role in the Fall Classic; however, some pitchers will be significant components to their team's success or failure. These players will be deciding factors in the outcome of the World Series.

The Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants are set to face off in a matchup of epic proportions. Both of these teams have been playoff juggernauts and are riding huge waves of momentum heading into the final series of 2014.

There is no such thing as "clutch," despite what the cliches and eyeball tests say. 

Baseball teams and players throughout time have been slapped with that label, but data tells us there really is no penchant for timely hitting in high-leverage situations. There is only opportunity, and the results are sometimes good, more often bad for hitters.

It looked like we were on our way to a Game 6 in the National League Championship Series when the St. Louis Cardinals took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning Thursday. In reality, we were on our way to a dramatic walk-off home run and a World Series date between the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants.

If we've learned anything about Major League Baseball in October, it's to expect the unexpected. After all, neither the Kansas City Royals nor the San Francisco Giants were really considered juggernauts during the regular season, but that's exactly how they played in the postseason.

The American League and National League Championship Series have presented diametrically opposed series.  Whereas the Cinderella Kansas City Royals have looked like Goliaths in romping to eight consecutive postseason victories, the San Francisco Giants have a chance to become the league's preeminent franchise with their third championship in five seasons.

Poised to win the American League Central for the fourth consecutive year, the Detroit Tigers' fortunes this October will rest squarely on the right arm of one Justin Brooks Verlander. 

Off to a 4-1 start, the Detroit Tigers should feel a sense of urgency this season after the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals proved in 2013 that they were quickly closing the gap in the AL Central.