Quick Recap

The Royals had a 4-1 lead, but the Giants knocked Jason Vargas out of the game early, and were able to come up big against the Royals bullpen.  The Giants took Game 4, 11-4,  to tie the series at two heading into an intense Game 5 in which both clubs are sending their aces to the mound.  

Starting Pitchers

James Shields (Royals): 14-8, 3.21 ERA, 180 Strikeouts

Shields has been deemed “Big Game James” but so far hasn’t lived up to his name.  In 10 career postseason starts, Shields is posting a 5.74 ERA behind a 3-5 record.  This year in particular, he is 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA.  In Game 1, the Royals ace gave up five earned runs in only three innings to the Giants as San Francisco went on to win 7-1.  This is a crucial game for the Royals, and they need a good pitching performance by Shields to at least keep them in this Game 5 matchup.

Madison Bumgarner (Giants): 18-10, 2.98 ERA, 219 Strikeouts

Bumgarner is undoubtedly the Giants best pitcher.  He has dominated throughout the season and is able to rise to the occasion in October.  In 12 career postseason appearances, he has gone 6-3 with a 2.54 ERA.  The Giants ace has been remarkable this 2014 postseason in particular, with a 1.40 ERA and a 3-1 record.  Bumgarner was lights out in Game 1, and will look to duplicate that performance in front of the Giants home crowd.  

Impact Hitters

Eric Hosmer (Royals): .270 Average, 9 Homeruns, 58 RBI, .318 OPB

Hosmer continues to deliver big hits during this impressive postseason.  He is vital to the Royals success and someone they want at the plate in a clutch situation.  With the Royals facing Bumgarner with the series tied at two, runs are going to be hard to come by, and they’ll need their biggest hitters to get the job done and get on base.

Alex Gordon (Royals): .266 Average, 19 Homeruns, 74 RBI, .351 OBP

Gordon hasn’t been very clutch this postseason, but did have a big hit in Game 3.  With the series intensifying, every at bat is crucial, and the Royals need to see some more production from one of their best hitters in Gordon.  

Pablo Sandoval (Giants): .279 Average, 16 Homers, 73 RBI, .324 OBP

Sandoval had the big hit last night giving the Giants a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth.  He is one of their best hitters when it comes to delivering the clutch hit.  Against Shields, Sandoval can potentially greatly improve his already impressive postseason numbers.

Buster Posey (Giants): .311 Average, 22 Homeruns, 89 RBI, .364 OBP

The Giants catcher is the star of the team, and always an offensive threat at the plate.  He’s hitting .276 this postseason, and is a key batter to get a rally started for the Giants in an important Game 5.

Pitching Advantage: The Giants clearly have the pitching advantage in this one.  Bumgarner already shut down the Royals in Game 1, and has been dominant all postseason long.  Not only has he been a force on the mound, but the Royals are starting Shields, which automatically gives SF the advantage here.

Hitting Advantage: San Francisco also has the hitting advantage for Game 5 because they will be facing Shields who has given up a lot of runs this postseason, while the Royals hitters have to face Bumgarner; which won’t be an easy task.

The Royals will win because they will get a quality start from Shields, who will keep the game close, and the KC hitters will get Bumgarner’s pitch count up and score off the Giants bullpen late in the game.

The Giants will win because they have their ace on the mound and will take Shields out of the game early with quality and timely at bats.

Final Prediction

Royals 2

Giants 6