MLB Playoffs 2014: Day 12 Schedule, Updated ALCS and NLCS Predictions

The 2014 MLB playoffs continued to provide riveting, edge-of-your-seat action on Tuesday, as the American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series provided some enthralling Game 4 conclusions. Both finishes were extremely entertaining, but very, very different.

The San Francisco Giants edged the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 to take a 2-1 series lead after reliever Randy Choate's errant throw gift-wrapped a 10th-inning walk-off victory. Here's a look at how the Giants got the win, via MLB Gifs:

The Kansas City Royals rode solid pitching and a highlight-reel defense to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the ALCS. Kansas City called on Greg Holland to come away with another save, and he took care of the middle of Baltimore's order in just six pitches.

Retired pitcher Bret Saberhagen tweeted his take on the closer:

With those two games in the books, we can begin to accurately predict how the remainder of each series is likely to unfold. But let's first take a glance at Wednesday's schedule to ensure not another moment of compelling baseball is missed.

Series	Game	Matchup	Time (ET)	Channel
ALCS	4	Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals	4 p.m.	TBS
NLCS	4	St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants	8 p.m.	FS1

ALCS Prediction

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

The Royals edged out another close one on Tuesday, putting a stranglehold on the ALCS. This team wasn't expected by many to play in October, but they have been absolutely lights-out.

Quickly becoming the postseason's most well-rounded team, Kansas City has a great mixture of a great starting rotation, a solid bullpen, a fantastic defense, savvy baserunning and efficiency at the plate. After seven straight postseason victories, this team has a swagger about it right now.

Baltimore will attempt to remain in World Series contention on Wednesday, and the team will put Miguel Gonzalez into action. The right-hander hasn't played since the end of September, but he was pitching very well before his long layoff.

Jason Vargas gets the start for the Royals after faring nicely against the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the postseason. Still, before allowing two runs in six innings in the playoffs, he finished the regular season on a cold streak, allowing at least four earned runs in each of his final four contests.

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News explained the decision to start Vargas on Wednesday:

Conventional wisdom gives Baltimore the upper hand on the mound in Game 4, but it's simply too difficult to bet against a Royals team that has been notching some very impressive team wins throughout the playoffs.

Vargas may not be able to best Gonzalez in a pitchers' duel on Wednesday, but the Royals will play solid team baseball once again, completing the sweep of the Orioles and punching their ticket to the World Series.

Prediction: Royals in four

NLCS Prediction

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

When we found out the Giants and the Cardinals would be facing off in the NLCS, we knew to expect some fireworks. After all, these are two highly experienced postseason teams, and both have a history of prowess in the playoffs.

Through three games, things are just about as even as we could have anticipated. After a big Giants shutout road win in Game 1, the Cardinals stormed back in Game 2, and that led to an interesting conclusion to Game 3.

The teams have been virtually even at the plate so far; however, they are earning runs in different ways. St. Louis has relied on the long ball but hasn't been quite as consistent as a Giants team that has been manufacturing runs. Each team is getting the job done, so we can expect pitching to decide this series.

San Francisco may have a bit of an edge in Game 4 as veteran Ryan Vogelsong hits the mound. He's been excellent in the postseason during his career, and ESPN Stats & Info tweeted his impressive streak:

Shelby Miller has been solid for the Cardinals, and he had a very nice outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the playoffs. However, at 24 years of age, he's in for the biggest game of his career. He'll have his hands full on Wednesday.

It's difficult to go against Vogelsong's experience in Game 4, and a win would put the Giants up 3-1. The Cardinals are expected to start ace Adam Wainwright in Game 5, and he has a great chance to take the series back to St. Louis, but a 3-1 deficit is just far too much to make up against a strong San Francisco team.

Prediction: Giants in six