World Series 2014: Full TV Schedule and Predictions for Giants vs. Royals

Since April, every MLB team has fought to make it to the pinnacle of sport. The 2014 World Series is just days away, and two surprising teams have made it to the Fall Classic.

In the American League, the Kansas City Royals have baffled every team and astute analyst along the way. At 8-0 this postseason, the Royals are 10-0 in their last 10 postseason games—granted, that dates back to 1985.

On the other side stands a San Francisco Giants team that is comfortable on the World Series stage. Following a convincing series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco has a chance to earn its third championship in the last five seasons.

Will the Royals win their first World Series in nearly three decades, or will the Giants win another championship in an even-numbered year? Before the matchup gets underway, here's a look at predictions for the World Series.

Game	Date	Time (ET)	TV
Game 1: San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals	Tuesday, October 21	8 p.m.	Fox
Game 2: San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals	Wednesday, October 22	8 p.m.	Fox
Game 3: Kansas City Royals at San Francisco Giants	Friday, October 24	8 p.m.	Fox
Game 4: Kansas City Royals at San Francisco Giants	Saturday, October 25	8 p.m.	Fox
*Game 5: Kansas City Royals at San Francisco Giants	Sunday, October 26	8 p.m.	Fox
*Game 6: San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals	Tuesday, October 28	8 p.m.	Fox
*Game 7: San Francisco Giants at Kansas City Royals	Wednesday, October 29	8 p.m.	Fox

Royals Will Thrive on the Road

It's never a perfect science to figure out how an American League team will play without its designated hitter. But with the way the Royals play the game, not having Billy Butler in the lineup shouldn't be a massive loss.

Sure, the starters won't swing the wood the same as Butler or any other DH, but this team finds offense in myriad ways. Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports 1 points out the interesting ways Kansas City scored in Games 3 and 4 of the American League Championship Series:

Going into a cavernous ballpark like AT&T Park, teams can't rely on long balls to pull out wins. The Royals aren't dependent on the home run, as they hit just 95 home runs in 162 regular-season games.

Even without the DH in their favor, the speed and smart play on the basepaths will push the Royals to several successful games at AT&T Park. There's also their stellar defensive play, headed by a quick Lorenzo Cain, who can seemingly cover the entire outfield.

If Kansas City can simply get past San Francisco at home, they will head to a field that benefits their style of play.

Giants Will Get More out of Their Rotation

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

San Francisco's third run in five years to the World Series is special, but each one has been strikingly similar. The starting pitching sets the stage while the offense does just enough to throttle opponents.

One of the most notable names in the rotation is Madison Bumgarner, who has been a true ace yet again in the postseason. Giants manager Bruce Bochy referenced the consistency of his Game 1 starter, per Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area:

The offense has come to play so far in the playoffs, but it has still been the starters and entire pitching staff who have shined. Through 10 playoff games, San Francisco has allowed three runs or less in six and have not lost any of those matchups.

But MadBum isn't the only great starter in the rotation. Having veteran leaders like Tim Hudson and Jake Peavy helps, but Ryan Vogelsong has proved he can be another stout starter. Here's a look at the playoff numbers for both Bumgarner and Vogelsong during their careers.

Player	Starts	W-L	ERA	SO/9	BB/9	WHIP
Madison Bumgarner	10	5-3	2.67	8.0	1.9	1.010
Ryan Vogelsong	6	3-0	2.16	7.0	3.8	1.170

Vogelsong was roughed up in his final outing for four runs over three innings in the NLCS, but he still has elite stuff. Look for both of the young hurlers and experienced arms to shine during the Fall Classic.

Kansas City Wins the World Series

Regardless of what Giants fans believe, not every even season has to be their year.

The Royals have been easily the most consistent team during the postseason and will continue that against the Giants. It likely won't be another sweep from KC, but this team can get wins in a number of different ways.

On the San Francisco side, it simply can't afford to make mistakes. Against a stout Kansas City team, the mistakes that plagued the Giants in the NLDS and NLCS can't arise again in the World Series.

Whether it's applying pressure through stealing bases, suffocating offenses with defense or coming up with clutch hits, the Royals are stacked. Given the plethora of talent and outstanding play by the Royals thus far, look for this team to cap off an improbable run by lifting the Commissioner's Trophy.

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