World Series 2014: Full Schedule and Predictions for LCS Action

Halloween decorations are everywhere, corn mazes are in full swing and there's a crisp feeling in the air. Yes, it's most certainly mid-October, and the World Series is just days away.

Before the biggest stage in Major League Baseball is set, we must first have our competitors. Heading into Wednesday's action, the American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series have taken far different paths.

After another game filled with solid pitching and astonishing defense, the Kansas City Royals have the Baltimore Orioles on the ropes with a 3-0 series lead. Will this Cinderella story make it all the way to the World Series, or will we see an improbable comeback?

Due to a throwing error from reliever Randy Choate in the 10th inning of Game 3, the San Francisco Giants were awarded a 2-1 series lead over the St. Louis Cardinals. Will that win give the Giants enough momentum to propel them into the World Series, or will the Cardinals fight back?

Before we predict the answers to those two pivotal questions, let's first glance at the full World Series schedule to ensure you get your fill of the forthcoming action.

Date	Game	Matchup	Time	Channel
Tue., Oct. 21	1	NL Champion at AL Champion	TBD	Fox
Wed., Oct. 22	2	NL Champion at AL Champion	TBD	Fox
Fri., Oct. 24	3	AL Champion at NL Champion	TBD	Fox
Sat., Oct. 25	4	AL Champion at NL Champion	TBD	Fox
Sun., Oct. 26	5*	AL Champion at NL Champion	TBD	Fox
Tue., Oct. 28	6*	NL Champion at AL Champion	TBD	Fox
Wed., Oct. 29	7*	NL Champion at AL Champion	TBD	Fox

*Denotes "if necessary" games

ALCS Prediction

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Can anyone stop the Royals? Not long ago, we were wondering if this team would make it into the postseason, and now Kansas City has become a playoff juggernaut. A combination of great pitching, stout defense and efficient hitting has allowed this squad to notch seven consecutive postseason wins.

All the Royals need is one more win to advance to the World Series.

We have an interesting pitching combination in Game 4, as Baltimore's Miguel Gonzalez returns to the mound after a lengthy layoff and Kansas City's Jason Vargas gets the start after a rather rocky season.

Gonzalez pitched far better in the latter half of the season, and explained why to reporters: "Confidence. I moved toward the middle of the pitcher's plate, and I felt a lot more comfortable there. I felt a lot better the second half."

Even without seeing action since late September, Gonzalez gives the Orioles the edge on the mound. However, if St. Louis gets to Vargas early, the Royals have a great bullpen in waiting. Ace of MLB Stats tweeted just how good this group has been in October:

There's a constant swagger to this Kansas City team right now. They act as though they are capable of making any play at any given minute, and so far that has pretty much been the case.

It takes a team effort to win a baseball game, which is why the Royals will complete the sweep on Wednesday, sending Baltimore home and punching their ticket to the big dance.

Prediction: Royals in four

NLCS Prediction

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The NLCS isn't quite as easy to predict. After all, we're talking about two highly experienced playoff teams here. At the moment, the Giants have the upper hand after leaving St. Louis with an even series and earning a home win thereafter. Tuesday's late-game theatrics have given San Francisco some momentum, which we expect to carry over to Game 4.

Veteran Ryan Vogelsong is set to take the mound for the Giants. He's been solid gold in the postseason throughout his career and has allowed one run or less in his last five playoff starts. This tweet from MLB sums it up nicely:

The Cardinals will be starting 24-year-old Shelby Miller in Game 4. The second-year player had some great stuff against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the playoffs, lasting 5.2 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs for a 3.18 ERA.

While those numbers are impressive, that game was played in St. Louis. Expect things to be a little different for this inexperienced pitcher in a very loud, hostile environment on Wednesday.

With the Giants and Cardinals looking evenly matched at the plate, the edge goes to the experience on the mound.

With a win in Game 4, San Francisco will have St. Louis on the ropes with the series at 3-1. Adam Wainwright is slated to start for the Cardinals in Game 5 but isn't a lock to notch a win in the postseason. Even if he does and the series moves back to St. Louis, climbing out of that hole against a very talented Giants team is just too tall an order.

A win on Wednesday will put a stranglehold on this series that the Giant's won't relinquish.

Prediction: Giants in six