World Series

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.

The Kansas City Royals have made it all the way to the World Series by virtue of one of the most improbable runs in baseball history, but the San Francisco Giants stand between them and a championship.

Although this World Series matchup may be lacking in terms of star power, it should be intriguing nonetheless. While Kansas City hasn't won a title since 1985, San Francisco is in search of its third championship in five years.

After a short league-championship round, this year's World Series is a matchup between the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals.

That might as well read Madison Bumgarner vs. James Shields, as no two players are more vital to their  teams' success than the two projected to start Game 1 of the Fall Classic.

Weeks of enthralling exposition during the MLB postseason has fans geared up for the upcoming World Series climax. The final slate will have a big bar to match in order to not disappoint.

The Detroit Tigers are once again championship contenders in 2014. At 55-41 and 6.5 games clear of their nearest division rival, they are poised to make another run at an elusive World Series title. Key to their success so far has been the breakout season of starting pitcher Rick Porcello.

Spring training games are set to kick off around the league this week, which means we will soon get our first chance to see all 30 MLB teams compete in 2014.

There's reason for optimism for every fanbase at this point, even if it does not look like every team has a legitimate shot at winning it all in 2014.

The 2012 season featured the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics make surprise runs to the postseason, while it was the Cleveland Indians who exceeded expectations to reach the playoffs last year.

Behold a pale horse, the Pittsburgh Pirates are serious contenders for the World Series in 2014.