ALCS Schedule 2014: Orioles vs. Royals Game 3 TV Coverage and Prediction

Given the Cinderella narratives surrounding these two recently downtrodden franchises, it is hardly surprising that the first two games of the ALCS have been highly compelling. 

While the two games at Camden Yards were tight, the Kansas City Royals now own a stranglehold on this series because of their perpetually improbable late-game heroics. The Baltimore Orioles likely deserve better than a daunting 0-2 deficit but now must win at least two out of three games in Kansas City to sustain their best postseason showing since 1997.

For those seeking to catch this crucial swing game, check out the full TV information below, as well as a prediction on which team will take the series' first contest at Kauffman Stadium.

What: ALCS Game 3

When: Tue. Oct. 14, 8:07 p.m. ET

Where: TBS

Live Stream: TBS.com

*Update: Game 3 of the ALCS has been postponed to Tue. Oct. 14 due to rain.

Predictions

Neither Starter Pitches More Than 6.0 Innings

Neither the Royals nor the Orioles boast particularly deep staffs, so look for the next two games to come down to bullpen management. With Wei-Yin Chen and Jeremy Guthrie on the hill, both starters play into the strengths of the opposing offenses.

Chen is a ground-ball heavy pitcher whose 6.59 K/9 rate indicates a pitcher that will not blow away opposing hitters. The veteran lefty had one start against Kansas City on May 15, in which he scattered seven hits over 5.1 innings and conceded just a single run. But although Chen has certainly improved after a rough first half, his proclivity for contact could make him vulnerable to a Royals lineup that has caught fire.

Like Chen, Guthrie has improved upon a rough start to post much better post-All-Star break splits.  Nonetheless, as a pitcher who has always been vulnerable to high HR/FB rates, Guthrie could be the antidote the power-heavy O's lineup needs to turn this series' momentum.

Royals Take 3-0 Series Lead

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Game 3 figures to once again come down to a battle of bullpens, in which the Royals have held a decisive edge over the first two contests. While the law of averages suggests that Kansas City should regress back to the mean at some point, it seems fallacious to bet against what the Royals have done so far this postseason.

Kansas City's reliance on small ball and the bullpen may limit its explosiveness, but it also allows them to thrive in late-game situations, when every situation receives disproportionately magnified importance. Zach Britton and Darren O'Day, the back end of the Baltimore bullpen that has been strong for much of the season, has started to break under the stress of high innings.

The Orioles' best hope is to jump on Guthrie early and nullify Kansas City's late-game advantage. But that's a difficult strategy to bank upon, and it's one that suggests the Royals will take another step toward their first World Series appearance in 29 years.

Stats via Fangraphs unless otherwise noted.