After botching my preseason division predictions for the American League and National League, and after completely missing with my postseason predictions, I should probably just sit back and watch the World Series unfold before me without giving too much thought as to who will win. However, that’s hard for me to do. I love making predictions, no matter how terrible at it I may be.
Despite picking every single losing team to move on in the division series round (I had the Tigers beating the Orioles, the Angels beating the Royals, the Nationals beating the Giants, and the Dodgers beating the Cardinals), I’m going to take a shot at picking the World Series winner. After all, I have a 50/50 shot. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
As you’re more than likely aware, the Royals swept the Angels and Orioles to move onto the Fall Classic for the first time since 1985, while the Giants beat out the Nationals and Cardinals to head to their third World Series in five seasons. With both teams having begun the postseason as Wild Card teams, this becomes the first time since 2002 that two Wild Card teams made it to the World Series. And therefore, with both having beaten improbable odds, it’s very difficult to predict with certainty who will win the best of seven series. But I’m going to try.
The probable pitchers for games one through seven (five through seven if necessary*) of the 2014 World Series are as follows:
Game 1: Madison Bumgarner (Giants) – James Shields (Royals)
Game 2: Jake Peavy (Giants) – Yordano Ventura (Royals)
Game 3: Tim Hudson (Giants) – Jeremy Guthrie (Royals)
Game 4: Ryan Vogelsong (Giants) – Jason Vargas (Royals)
Game 5*: Madison Bumgarner (Giants) – James Shields (Royals)
Game 6*: Jake Peavy (Giants) – Yordano Ventura (Royals)
Game 7*: Tim Hudson (Giants) – Jeremy Guthrie (Royals)
Keep in mind that the Royals’ starting pitchers past game two are the presumed rotation, as they are yet to reveal their full pitching plans. In addition, plans could change, sending a switch around of the starting pitchers for either team, but this is the way things seem to be set to happen as of now. Based on the starting rotations and my observations of each team’s games so far this postseason, here’s how I have things playing out for the World Series:
My pick to win Game 1: Giants
Though the World Series is beginning in Kansas City, I have the Giants winning the first game. With Madison Bumgarner on the mound, the Royals’ offense is surely going to have a hard time scoring runs, and I feel that although James Shields is opposing the Giants, that the Giants will do just enough to pull out the victory. Thus ending the Royals perfect postseason winning record.
My pick to win Game 2: Royals
After losing game one, in my mind, the Royals will likely have a little added incentive to take game two, not wanting to head to San Francisco down two games to none. With Jake Peavy on the mound, who has struggled at times this year, I feel the Royals will score early in this game, having a lead heading into the late innings. With such a strong bullpen, they should be able to lock down game two.
My pick to win Game 3: Giants
With the first game in San Francisco being tied at a game apiece, the Giants and Royals will be fighting to take the advantage in game three. However, back in front of their home fans, and with veteran Tim Hudson on the mound, I think the Giants will just edge out the Royals. Though both Hudson and Jeremy Guthrie have had struggles in 2014, I feel Guthrie will struggle slightly more.
My pick to win Game 4: Royals
Bouncing back to take game four, the Royals have to win this game, in my mind, if they want to head back to Kansas City. With Bumgarner on the mound once again the following night, they’ll have to capitalize on the Giants’ starting pitcher, Ryan Vogelsong. And I believe they’ll do just that, tying things up at two games per club.
My pick to win Game 5*: Giants
On the mound once again for the Giants will be their ace, Madison Bumgarner, who I feel will be lights out as ever. The final game at home for the Giants in 2014, I feel they need to win this game to take the 3-2 lead if they want any shot at the World Series. If they return back to Kansas City down a game, they’ll have their backs against the wall for sure.
My pick to win Game 6*: Giants
Although back in front of the Royals’ home fans, which are some of the most electric in baseball, the momentum carried from a game five victory will likely be too much for the Royals to take on. After losing in game two of the series, in my mind, I don’t think Jake Peavy will allow that to happen again. If all goes as planned, the Giants will once again be crowned World Champions of baseball on October 28th in Kansas City.
