World Series 2014: Predictions for Each NLCS Team vs. Royals

The American League Championship Series ended after the Kansas City Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles, extending their postseason winning streak to eight games. This team is simply on fire right now, and we can begin to wonder how each National League Championship Series team would fare in the World Series.

After all, this tweet from ESPN Stats & Info reminds us just how good Kansas City has been in the postseason:

That streak reached 11 games on Wednesday.

While the San Francisco Giants currently have a 3-1 stranglehold on the series over the St. Louis Cardinals, nothing is set in stone just yet, and either team could certainly advance to the big dance. So, which one of these clubs matches up better against the Royals?

Before Game 5 of the NLCS commences on Thursday night, let's first look ahead and predict the outcome of the World Series for each of these teams against the Royals.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals

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The Cardinals don't have trouble scoring runs in the postseason. They lead all playoff teams in home runs and even against a very good Giants rotation, they've tallied at least four runs in three of the four NLCS games.

The biggest issue with this team resides on the mound. St. Louis hasn't been getting the expected production from both its starters and bullpen. San Francisco continues to get to the team's starters early, leaving far too many innings of relief pitching for the bullpen.

Take a glance at how each Cardinals starter has fared in the NLCS:

Player	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Adam Wainwright	4.2	6	3	2	3	2	3.86
Lance Lynn	5.2	6	2	2	1	3	3.18
John Lackey	6.0	5	4	4	1	3	6.00
Shelby Miller	3.2	6	3	3	2	3	7.36

Those numbers aren't pretty, and considering John Lackey was the only starter able to go a full six innings, it's easy to see why the St. Louis bullpen has been underperforming—the team is going through relievers way too fast.

The absence of Yadier Molina could certainly have something to do with these pitching woes as well. Take a look at this telling tweet regarding Shelby Miller, via Fox Sports MLB:

Kansas City may not have the biggest bats in the playoffs, but the team's entire lineup gives tough at-bats. The Royals feature a deeper rotation, and their bullpen has been playing better of late. Expect this matchup to resemble the NLCS with fewer runs scored.

Prediction: Royals in six

San Francisco Giants vs. Kansas City Royals

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The way the NLCS looks right now, this appears to be the forthcoming World Series matchup. If that's the case, we're in for quite a show.

San Francisco has been outstanding on the mound against the Cardinals. Madison Bumgarner continues to be lights-out in the postseason. ESPN Stats & Info tweeted just how good he's been:

While the rest of the starting rotation hasn't had the same kind of success, the team's bullpen has been able to provide stellar relief.

Game 4 of the NLCS was a perfect example. Starter Ryan Vogelsong was pummeled by the Cardinals, lasting just 3.0 innings while allowing seven hits and four earned runs for a 12.00 ERA. The bullpen went the remaining six innings, allowing just four hits and zero runs.

Here's a look at how dominant this unit has been over the last two games, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Info:

The Giants haven't been a powerhouse team at the plate in the playoffs, but they have been very efficient and continue to earn wins by manufacturing runs—in a very similar style to the Royals. In fact, San Francisco and Kansas City match up nicely on offense.

The difference in this matchup will be how effective these teams can be in the late innings. The Royals notched quite a few postseason wins with late-game heroics; however, that will be a difficult task against a lights-out Giants bullpen.

Expect this series to come down to the bitter end, giving us a riveting World Series Game 7. San Francisco's extensive playoff experience will really come into play in this instance, notching a huge road win for the title of world champions.

Prediction: Giants in seven