Photo Credit: Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT
We are one step closer to crowning a new World Series champion. The division series are now done and the championship match ups are set. For the National League it will be another Giants-Cardinals matchup, but for the American League it will be the Orioles against this year’s Cinderella team, the Kansas City Royals.
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals
These two teams always seem to meet during the postseason. Since 2010, one of these two teams has represented the National League in the World Series. The Giants have won both of their appearances, while the Cardinals won in 2011, but lost last season to the Boston Red Sox.
Both of these teams have solid foundations that have provided for their continued success. Giants general managers went out and added another pitcher, Jake Peavy, who has had a very successful season. He never hit the panic button this season despite the Giants need for a second baseman. Instead of trading away valuable assets, he looked within the organization and decided to bring up Joe Panik which worked out extremely well.
Everyone expected the Cardinals to go through a rebelling stage when first baseman Albert Pujols signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Instead, they remained a playoff team and went back to the World Series last season. In order to get back there, general manager John Mozeliak took a huge gamble trading Allen Craig and Joe Kelly for starting pitcher John Lackey. Lackey has done very well in the potseason, something the Cardinals are hoping continues in this series.
These two teams met seven times during the regular season with the Giants having a slight advantage, winning 4 of those match ups. The series is set to begin this Saturday.
Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles
The Kansas City Royals have been the surprise of the postseason. The Royals who had a 29 year postseason drought prior to this season now have a chance to head back to the World Series. They will have to beat the Orioles who cruised the entire season to an AL East championship.
The Royals, who do not overwhelm teams with power, have mastered the art of small ball. This means lots and lots of bunts and stolen bases. Not the most exciting baseball, but it is getting the job done. This is completely different from Baltimore, who led the league in home runs.
The Orioles have finally gained an identity in the AL East, a division normally thought to be a two team race between the Red Sox and Yankees, with the Rays sometimes making a run. However, it was the Orioles who dominated the division and were the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season. The Orioles did it with solid pitching, both from their starters and their bullpen, as well as great power hitting.
Both of these teams and their fans deserve to win. Unfortunately, only one can advance to the World Series. The series kicks off Friday.
