World Series 2014: Known Schedule and Predictions for Fall Classic Matchup

Given how the 2014 MLB postseason has transpired, predicting the World Series is a fool's errand at this point.

The Baltimore Orioles are the only remaining team to notch more than 90 victories in the regular season, and they're already down 2-0 to the Kansas City Royals after dropping a pair of close losses at Camden Yards.

Although the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers were far away the two best clubs for a meaty 162 games, two familiar faces in the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants are instead sparring for another World Series bid.

Times are still up in the air, but here's a preview of the World Series schedule. Of course, they must play the Championship Series first.

Championship Series

Matchup	Series	Prediction
San Francisco Giants vs. St Louis Cardinals	SF 1-0	Giants in 6
Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles	KC 2-0	Royals in 5

World Series Schedule

Game #	Date	Time (ET)	TV
GM 1	Tuesday, Oct. 21	TBD	FOX
GM 2	Wednesday, Oct. 22	TBD	FOX
GM 3	Friday, Oct. 24	TBD	FOX
GM 4	Saturday, Oct. 25	TBD	FOX
GM 5 *	Sunday, Oct. 26	TBD	FOX
GM 6 *	Tuesday, Oct. 28	TBD	FOX
GM 7 *	Wednesday, Oct. 29	TBD	FOX

World Series Predictions

The Royals are already halfway to their first World Series appearance in 29 years.

They continued their postseason voodoo in Baltimore, winning a 10-inning classic in Game 1 that marked their fourth extra-inning victory through six playoff games, all of which Ned Yost's squad has won.

If they win, everyone will use it as evidence of the prowess of small ball. After all, the Royals rated last in home runs and first in steals during the season. Meanwhile, the Orioles belted more long balls than anyone else while slotting at the bottom of the barrel in stolen bases. Surely you've heard that several times already entering the series.

That's how they got here, but the Royals aren't bunting their way to the Fall Classic. Those pesky grinders have instead belted four home runs in the last two games. Mike Moustakas, the same fallen mega-prospect who hit .212/.271./.361 this season, has already smashed four home runs. Per ESPN Stats & Info, take a look at the company he has placed himself in with that torrid stretch.

First baseman Eric Hosmer, who hit a pair of homers in the American League Division Series, commented on his teammate's breakout October to The Kansas City Star's Rustin Dodd.

“The way he’s recognizing pitches early,” Hosmer said. “He’s shutting down on breaking balls early. And he’s getting good pitches, and he’s not missing them.”

Combine the offensive resurgence with excellent defense and relief pitching, and the Royals now have a winning formula. Having a center fielder who can do this certainly helps:

The trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland has proven deadly, allowing three postseason runs through 19 combined innings. If Yost finally expands their role, as he did in Game 1 by giving Herrera and Davis two innings apiece, the Orioles will have to knock around Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas big time during the upcoming two games. 

Meanwhile, Zach Britton has now allowed five baserunners and a run in 1.1 innings this series while Darren O'Day in on the hook for both losses. With the bottom of their bullpen struggling at an inopportune time, the pressure is on a shaky rotation to hold its weight.

It's not promising consider the upcoming starters. Wei-Yin Chen may have notched a 3.54 ERA in the season while Miguel Gonzalez fared even better at 3.23, but they posted respective Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), per FanGraphs, marks of 3.89 and 4.89. Not the guys you want saving your season.

As bizarre as the American League series has been so far, Game 1 followed a predictable route to victory. Give the ball to Madison Bumgarner, and let the ace throw 7.2 shutout innings during a 3-0 victory.

After dominating the Pittsburgh Pirates on their home turf, the 25-year-old lefty continued his incredible postseason by silencing the St. Louis crowd. MLB.com's Richard Justice examined the depths of his road supremacy.

We'll holster that tidbit for later, as it could come in handy in a possible Game 7. Right now, each squad needs to worry about its slumbering offense. Look at their postseason numbers so far.

Team	Runs/GM	Average	OBP	Slugging %	HRs
Giants	3.3	.235	.299	.291	2
Cardinals	3.6	,218	.274	.391	7

Luckily for the Giants, they've allowed eight earned runs through six games. Their bullpen, which ranked fifth with a 3.01 team ERA this season, won't give away the series the way the Los Angeles Dodgers' decrepit unit did.

The playoff magic needs to run out for one of these teams. Considering the Cardinals boast the lowest season run differential (plus-16) of any 2014 postseason participant, look for their clock to strike midnight in the National League Championship Series.