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.
Certain players were absolutely crucial to the success of both teams. Some may not exactly be considered household names, but their efforts were instrumental in their respective teams reaching the big dance. We should expect more of the same in the immediate future, as these players will decide the outcome of the World Series.
Before we single out a couple of players from each team, let's first take a glance at the full World Series schedule to ensure you catch these talented athletes in action.
*Denotes "if necessary" games
Kansas City Royals
Wade Davis
Davis may be the most impressive pitcher we've watched during the 2014 postseason. He made an appearance in each of Kansas City's eight games and was simply remarkable in each outing.
He began his impeccable playoff run against the Oakland Athletics in the AL Wild Card Game, pitching one inning and striking out one batter while retiring the side in order. Seven games later, Davis has only allowed a total of five hits and one earned run in 9.1 innings pitched. He currently maintains a playoff ERA of 0.96.
While Davis is generally a one-inning reliever, he proved he has what it takes to pitch multiple innings when needed. In Game 1 against the Baltimore Orioles, he went two strong innings, striking out four batters without allowing a hit or walk.
Davis has garnered quite the reputation so far in October, and this tweet from MLB really sums up how scary he's been on the mound:
The Giants have been able to accumulate late-inning runs against other relievers to this point, but they'll have their hands full with Davis.
Lorenzo Cain
Cain has been extremely consistent at the plate in October, recording at least one hit in six of the team's eight postseason games. In 34 at-bats, he's accumulated nine runs, 12 hits, three doubles, four RBI, two walks and two stolen bases. He's batting .353 in that span.
In Game 2 of the ALCS, Cain was the driving force behind Kansas City's 6-4 victory over the Orioles. In five at-bats, he came away with four hits, two runs and one RBI.
ESPN Stats & Info tweeted a great graphic of Cain's efficiency at the plate during the ALCS:
The Giants bullpen has been fantastic throughout the playoffs to this point, but Cain will certainly provide some stiff competition at the plate.
San Francisco Giants
Yusmeiro Petit
It should be safe to say that Petit has been lights out in October. He may have seen action only twice, but he proved to be a big part of two decisive Giants playoff victories.
He saw his first action in a marathon Game 2 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals. Petit pitched six innings in that 18-inning affair, allowing just one hit and striking out seven while earning the win for the game.
Petit was called to the mound once more in Game 4 of the NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals. After starter Ryan Vogelsong was pummeled early, lasting just three innings, Petit quickly cooled off opposing bats, pitching three innings of his own while allowing just one hit and striking out four. He earned a win once more, totaling two in as many appearances.
The Giants' official Twitter account relayed Petit's impressive totals:
Kansas City has notched wins by manufacturing runs throughout the course of a game. With another performance like the two aforementioned showings, Petit can put a stop to that.
Travis Ishikawa
Ishikawa may not be known as a force at the plate much like a Pablo Sandoval or Buster Posey, but he's put together quite an impressive postseason showing leading up to the World Series.
In 10 playoff games, Ishikawa only saw 26 at-bats, but he made the most of them. In those plate appearances he tallied two runs, seven hits, two doubles, seven RBI, three walks, a .269 batting average and this home run that sent the Giants to the World Series, via MLB Gifs:
Not only has Ishikawa been consistent at the plate, he's provided plenty of momentum for his entire team heading into the biggest series of the year. After all, his walk-off heroics haven't been seen by the Giants since this historic moment, via ESPN Stats & Info:
With plenty of confidence heading into the World Series, Ishikawa could become an enormous difference-maker against a good Royals rotation.
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