MLB Playoff Bracket 2014: Schedule and Breakdown of League Championship Series

Although the teams remaining in the MLB playoffs might not have been the ones we were expecting, the four squads still in the hunt are certain to create an exciting battle for the World Series.

The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles will battle in the American League Championship Series with both teams relatively new to this stage. The Orioles were last here in 1997, while the Royals had not even reached the playoffs since 1985 before this year.

You can imagine a lot of nerves from both sides as the majority of players compete in the biggest series of their careers.

On the other hand, the National League Championship Series will feature two teams very comfortable playing in October. The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals have combined to win three of the last four World Series titles, and this year will represent the fifth in a row that one of them will take home the pennant.

Fans of other teams might be sick of seeing these two squads win, but there is no denying either side's ability to come through when it matters.

This will create an interesting series on both sides of the bracket, which can be seen on MLB.com. Here is a complete look at the playoff schedule for each conference and a quick breakdown of what to expect.

Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
1	Oct. 10	Royals at Orioles	8 p.m.	TBS
2	Oct. 11	Royals at Orioles	4 p.m.	TBS
3	Oct. 13	Orioles at Royals	8 p.m.	TBS
4	Oct. 14	Orioles at Royals	8 p.m.	TBS
5*	Oct. 15	Orioles at Royals	4 p.m.	TBS
6*	Oct. 17	Royals at Orioles	8 p.m.	TBS
7*	Oct. 18	Royals at Orioles	8 p.m.	TBS

The Orioles and Royals have two very different styles, but they are both fun to watch.

Offensively, Baltimore tends to wait for the big hit thanks to a lineup that can hit home runs at just about any time. The team led the majors in long balls this season with 211, led by Nelson Cruz with 40. 

Conversely, Kansas City finished last in the league with just 95 home runs and relies on small ball to manufacture runs. Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press mocked the team's lineup before the start of the postseason:

Still, the club has been finding ways to score through bunts, stolen bases and timely hitting. Ned Yost might come under a lot of heat for various reasons, but his team is getting the job done.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter does not get the same type of criticism, though, as he has become almost universally loved for his work with his team. T.J. Quinn of ESPN notes the support he receives from the hometown fans:

Showalter continued to show his professionalism after winning his first career playoff series, immediately discussing the players in the press conference after the game:

"

The thing I’m most excited about is the players getting an opportunity to do this and trying to have an impact on their lives. I mean, I got it. I’m a ship passing in the night. This is fun to watch and believe me, I’m happier than you can imagine. But most of it comes from getting to see the players get what they put into it.

"

The manager notoriously does a great job of managing his bullpen, which will be interesting to watch throughout the series.

Kansas City seems overmatched in most areas except for starting pitching, where the team has a mix of veterans and young studs who can post big performances in each game. However, the Orioles starters should be able to do just enough to keep up and come away with a series win.

Prediction: Orioles win in 6

St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV
1	Oct. 11	Giants at Cardinals	8 p.m.	Fox
2	Oct. 12	Giants at Cardinals	8 p.m.	FS1
3	Oct. 14	Cardinals at Giants	4 p.m.	FS1
4	Oct. 15	Cardinals at Giants	8 p.m.	FS1
5*	Oct. 16	Cardinals at Giants	8 p.m.	FS1
6*	Oct. 18	Giants at Cardinals	4 p.m.	Fox
7*	Oct. 19	Giants at Cardinals	7:30 p.m.	FS1

Despite dealing with injuries throughout the season, the Cardinals got to the playoffs on the strength of their starting rotation. The unit ranked sixth in the majors with a 3.44 ERA, and that continued against the Los Angeles Dodgers with some great performances by John Lackey and Lance Lynn.

Of course, one person who struggled was the one they least expected. Adam Wainwright allowed six runs in his only start and was questionable to pitch again while he dealt with elbow trouble. The good news is he is ready to pitch in Game 1 of the NLCS, according to Stan McNeal of Fox Sports Midwest:

If he can perform to his ability and the rest of the rotation can do what it did in the last round, St. Louis will be in good shape. 

This will be important because the Cardinals will have to match up with a Giants pitching staff that has posted a 1.33 ERA and 0.80 WHIP so far in the playoffs, including both starters and bullpen. Aside from Hunter Strickland, who allowed three home runs in three innings pitched, everyone who stepped onto the mound was successful.

San Francisco will have experienced starters ready to go at the start of the series, as detailed by Andrew Baggarly of CSN:

As a result, this series will come down to the hitting. The Cardinals were impressive in the last round despite the fact the team ranked just 24th in the majors in runs scored during the regular season.

The problem is that while players like Matt Carpenter and Matt Adams came through in the NLDS, there are few hitters who really scare opposing pitchers in the lineup. On the other hand, the Giants' middle of the order really knows how to do damage when given the chance.

If the Giants can improve their hitting with runners in scoring position, they should be able to get enough runs to win this series. 

Prediction: Giants win in 7

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