MLB Playoff Schedule 2014: Updated ALCS, NLCS Bracket, Day 7 Predictions

As thrilling as the National League and American League Division Series were, the next round promises to be just as exciting. One matchup is rich in history of playoff success while the other offers two surprising franchises playing for a chance at the World Series.

In the National League, the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants will battle for the right to make another appearance in the Fall Classic. The two teams have won three of the last four titles and have combined for 38 appearances in the World Series.

On the other side, the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals have been shut out of the World Series since the 1980s. They have been in the final series a combined nine times, with Baltimore winning in 1983 and Kansas City taking the crown in 1985—the last appearance for both.

Prior to both huge matchups getting underway, here's a look at the full schedule and predictions for the open of the ALCS. The full bracket can be viewed at MLB.com.

Game	Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV Info	Live Stream
ALCS
1	Fri., Oct. 10	KC at BAL	8 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
2	Sat., Oct. 11	KC at BAL	4 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
3	Mon., Oct. 13	BAL at KC	8 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
4	Tues., Oct. 14	BAL at KC	8 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
5*	Wed., Oct. 15	BAL at KC	4 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
6*	Fri., Oct. 17	KC at BAL	8 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
7*	Sat., Oct. 18	KC at BAL	4 p.m.	TBS	TBS.com
NLCS
1	Sat., Oct. 11	SF at STL	8 p.m.	Fox	Fox Sports Go
2	Sun., Oct. 12	SF at STL	8 p.m.	FS1	Fox Sports Go
3	Tues., Oct. 14	STL at SF	4 p.m.	FS1	Fox Sports Go
4	Wed., Oct. 15	STL at SF	8 p.m.	FS1	Fox Sports Go
5*	Thurs., Oct. 16	STL at SF	8 p.m.	FS1	Fox Sports Go
6*	Sat., Oct. 18	SF at STL	4 p.m.	Fox	Fox Sports Go
7*	Sun., Oct. 19	SF at STL	7:30 p.m.	FS1	Fox Sports Go

Day 7 Prediction

The only game on the docket for Day 7 of the MLB playoffs is the first clash between the Orioles and Royals.

Despite being shut out of the postseason last year, both teams closed out the season as two of the hottest in the American League. The Royals didn't even win their division, but they propelled themselves into the division series with a 12-inning win over the Oakland Athletics.

Elite baserunning and a stout bullpen got Kansas City to the playoffs, but it has been Eric Hosmer's bat that has carried the team. MLB analyst Peter Gammons offered his take on the postseason star:

After hitting .270 on the season with just nine home runs, Hosmer has been swinging a hot bat in October. Technically, the AL Wild Card Game was in September, but he is hitting .500 with two home runs and five RBI through four games in the playoffs.

Along with Hosmer, the bullpen has remained a staple of the team's success through the early going. Equipped with arms like Greg Holland and Wade Davis, the relievers for Kansas City have nearly unhittable stuff on the mound.

Dominance in the ALDS was evident from the 'pen, even against a potent Los Angeles Angels lineup. MLB Stat of the Day points out just how great the relief pitching was for Kansas City:

Much like the Angels' powerful lineup, the Royals will have to contend with another group of sluggers in Baltimore. The Orioles feature several consistent bats in their lineup but none more imposing than Nelson Cruz.

A former Texas Rangers player who came up short twice in the World Series is leading yet another team in the second season. Cruz's consistent power in the postseason was noted by ESPN Stats & Info:

Around Cruz is a dangerous lineup that includes Nick Markakis, J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones. Any of those players can change a game with one swing of the bat, but Cruz was the leader in homers (40) and RBI (108) for the Orioles.

Markakis spoke about having Cruz in the lineup rather than facing him, per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com:

"I've played a lot of games against him, and he's done a lot of damage against us," Markakis said. "I'm just glad he's on our team now doing the damage. It's awesome."

When it comes to Game 1, the easiest way to predict postseason matchups is to look at the pitching. Chris Tillman has been great all season, but James Shields has been known to step up on the biggest stages.

Big Game James will get the ball against Tillman and look to shut down the Orioles lineup. Even with the bats of Cruz, Markakis and Jones, Shields will excel in the series opener and get the backing of his own resilient lineup.

Expect another tight matchup between the two surprising franchises, but the Royals will pull out yet another late victory. I'm on record as saying the Orioles will win the series, but the Royals will come away with Game 1.

Thanks to having great arms on the mound throughout the night and enough firepower in the lineup, the Royals will steal home-field advantage on Friday night.

Prediction: Royals 4, Orioles 3

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