If there is one thing the 2014 MLB playoffs have accomplished, it is reinforcing the idea that anything can happen. The fact that the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals are meeting in the World Series is proof of that.
The Giants' run to this point isn't necessarily shocking, since this marks their third World Series appearance in five years, but few expected an underdog squad like the Royals to make it this far, especially after nearly getting eliminated in the AL Wild Card Game.
Both teams have gotten to this point through different means, but they have certainly earned it. Based on the manner in which this postseason has played out, there isn't too much that would shock baseball fans at this point.
With that said, here is a look at some bold predictions for the World Series that are likely to at least raise some eyebrows if they come to fruition.
Giants Bullpen Will Outdo Royals
While the Royals don't possess the power at the plate and deep starting rotations that other playoff teams did, they made it to the World Series by doing the little things well. One thing that often gets overlooked is the importance of the bullpen. While Kansas City has arguably had the best bullpen in the league all season long, San Francisco's will manage to shine brighter.
With 5.9 wins above replacement, the Royals bullpen was tied with the New York Yankees as the best in the league during the regular season, according to FanGraphs.com. Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera formed a nearly unbeatable trio, and that has carried over to the playoffs.
Conversely, the Giants bullpen accounted for just 0.5 wins above replacement, which was 28th in Major League Baseball. Based on the manner in which San Francisco's relievers have pitched during the playoffs, though, that number seems inconsequential at this point.
According to ESPN's Dan Shulman, the Giants have three key relievers who are riding long scoreless streaks in the postseason, including closer Santiago Casilla:
Add in former closer Sergio Romo, who has surrendered just one run in seven outings, and it is clear that the Giants pen has been lights out.
In fact, it has slightly outperformed Kansas City's heralded corps of relievers during the lead-up to the World Series, per Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News:
The success of both bullpens has plenty to do with the hitters that they face as well, and a quick look at the respective lineups suggests that the Giants have more firepower than the Royals do.
Kansas City has thrived on timely hitting; however, San Francisco has a bunch of players with postseason experience who know how to get the job done in clutch situations. Because of that, the Royals will have their hands full late in games, and the Giants bullpen will reign supreme.
Giants Will Sweep Royals
The simple fact that the Royals are in the World Series is shocking enough, but the manner in which they got there is even more surprising. Kansas City has yet to lose a game in this postseason, and that has led many to call it a team of destiny. Perhaps the Royals have an immeasurable intangible that will lead them to championship glory, but logic suggests that the Giants are the better team.
There is no question that the biggest factor working in San Francisco's favor is starting pitching. Dominant lefty Madison Bumgarner tops the list with a 2-1 record, 1.42 ERA and microscopic 0.76 WHIP in four starts. He will take the mound for the Giants in the first game of the series, and he could be available for three starts if needed.
That is huge for San Francisco, since teammates such as reliever Jeremy Affeldt have all the confidence in the world when he is on the mound, according to Ron Kroichick of SFGate.com.
"Bum is as calm as it gets," Affeldt said. "We have full confidence in him. We trust him. He's an ace in every way, shape and form. He deserves the MVP in this series."
Truth be told, though, the Giants won't need Bumgarner more than twice. Veterans Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson have thrived in the playoffs as well. When put up against the likes of Yordano Ventura, Jason Vargas and Jeremy Guthrie, San Francisco will have the edge in terms of experience and performance.
The experience factor is an important one especially. Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval, Hunter Pence and others within the San Francisco lineup have won the World Series before and won't let the big stage get the best of them. It is unclear if the same can be said for the Royals' inexperienced players.
What Kansas City has done to this point has been spectacular and it has captivated the baseball world. The Giants are simply more equipped to win at this juncture, though, and they will end the Royals' magical run emphatically.
Brandon Belt Will Win World Series MVP
After a breakout 2013 season that saw him hit .289 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI, expectations were high for Giants first baseman Brandon Belt entering 2014. Injuries limited him to just 61 regular-season games, though, and he ended up with a disappointing slash line of .243/12/27.
The 26-year-old slugger has looked like a different player during the playoffs, however, and he has unquestionably been one of San Francisco's best hitters. He is tied for the team lead with one home run, second with six RBI, third with a .286 batting average and first with an excellent on-base percentage of .409.
It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why Belt is playing so well right now, but his self-admitted enjoyment of the game may have something to do with it:
Despite making it to the World Series, the Giants don't necessarily have any hitters who are tearing the cover off the ball right now. The lineup has collectively had a lot of success, though, and there doesn't seem to be an easy out in it.
It seems like none of the players on the roster are particularly worried about individual accolades at this point. Belt's comments courtesy of 95.7 The Game seem to perfectly illustrate that notion:
Since Kansas City's starting rotation is predicated on right-handers like James Shields, Ventura and Guthrie, Belt has an advantage as a lefty. Even when he isn't getting hits, he is clearly seeing the ball very well right now, which is bolstered by his high OBP.
Someone always seems to emerge for the Giants when they make it to the World Series, and Belt will be that guy in 2014.
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