World Series 2014: Odds and Prop Bets Info for Giants vs. Royals Game 2
The San Francisco Giants blew out the Kansas City Royals 7-1 in Game 1 to open the World Series, but if anything, that rare lopsided scoreline just goes to show how unpredictable this series can be.
Both teams made it here by dominating their opposition—the Royals entered the Fall Classic without a postseason loss, while the Giants lost just two. They also combined for six extra-inning playoff games between them, which indicated that every game could have go down to the wire.
That's now not the case after the Giants dominated the Royals Tuesday night in Kansas City, and the unpredictable can open up enticing bets for those looking to make some coin.
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Here's a glance at odds for Game 2 as well as World Series prop bets to consider.
Game 2 Odds
| San Francisco Giants | +1.5 | 26-25 |
| Kansas City Royals | -1.5 | 100-113 |
Game 2 Over/Under: 7
Note: Game 2 odds courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. ET
Prop Bets and Other Odds
Odds to Win 2014 World Series MVP
| Pablo Sandoval (Giants) | 8-1 |
| Buster Posey (Giants) | 17-2 |
| Lorenzo Cain (Royals) | 9-1 |
| Eric Hosmer (Royals) | 10-1 |
| Mike Moustakas (Royals) | 10-1 |
| Alex Gordon (Royals) | 12-1 |
| Hunter Pence (Giants) | 12-1 |
| Madison Bumgarner (Giants) | 12-1 |
| James Shields (Royals) | 14-1 |
| Alcides Escobar (Royals) | 15-1 |
| Brandon Belt (Giants) | 15-1 |
| Jake Peavy (Giants) | 15-1 |
| Santiago Casilla (Giants) | 15-1 |
| Greg Holland (Royals) | 15-1 |
It's early—very early—but Hunter Pence and Madison Bumgarner are looking like steals at 12-1 to win the MVP.
Bumgarner had a three-run lead before even stepping onto the mound in Game 1 but pitched as if the game was on the line. He allowed just three hits and one run—a homer in his last inning pitched—in seven innings, while Pence cranked a first-inning home run and went 2-for-3 in the win.
But obviously, the MVP isn't won in Game 1 of any series. Between two teams that have grown a liking to close games, we should see things get tight enough later in the series for a hero to emerge for either team.
If the Royals are going to bounce back, it wouldn't be remiss to count on big bats those of Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer or Alex Gordon to deliver those clutch moments, as they have all postseason, though the trio went a combined 1-for-10 in Game 1.
Should things continue as they're going, though, Bumgarner is probably the easiest pick at 12-1. Unless the Giants sweep, he'll get another chance to pitch, which just might help make Bumgarner the first pitcher MVP since Cole Hamels in 2008.
Odds to Win 2014 World Series
| Kansas City Royals | 10-11 |
| San Francisco Giants | 10-11 |
If you're looking to take the Giants to win the series, you better do so now. Another convincing victory, and San Francisco will see its odds of winning the title go from a toss-up to nearly guaranteed.
The Royals may just be down 1-0 in the series, but falling again in Game 2 would be nothing short of brutal. It would leave the Royals needing to win two in San Francisco to even the score, and Kansas City knows from its drubbings of the Angels and Orioles just how hard that can be.
Fate seemed to be on Kansas City's side all postseason long and still may be. But history isn't on their side after Tuesday's loss, per the Giants' Twitter fan account:
Game 1 was the Royals' first loss of the postseason, and they could continue to tighten up and struggle just as easily as they could bounce back. This team has been fighting from behind for months just to get here, but it needs to simply focus on getting back to the basics to get back in this series.
World Series Exact Result
| Giants in 4 | 12-1 |
| Giants in 5 | 6-1 |
| Giants in 6 | 5-1 |
| Giants in 7 | 9-2 |
| Royals in 4 | 12-1 |
| Royals in 5 | 11-2 |
| Royals in 6 | 4-1 |
| Royals in 7 | 15-4 |
If simply picking who will win the series isn't enough for you, you can take it one step further and try to predict the exact number of games it will take the victor to win.
Neither of these teams has lost more than one game in a series this postseason, leading one to believe it will be a short series no matter which way it goes. But according to these lines, it seems like the oddsmakers believe that trend will be bucked in favor of a long series.
Each team entered with just 12-1 odds of pulling the sweep, which is no longer possible if you're the Royals. But if you think San Francisco's Game 1 drubbing wasn't a fluke, going 12-1 for a Giants sweep could land you a big payday.
It is worth remembering, though, just how effective the Royals can be when it all comes together. They've mastered the art of holding on to tight games in October, and all it could take is a Game 2 victory at home to turn the tide of the series and give them hope heading to AT&T Park.
Note: Series prop bets courtesy of Odds Shark, last updated Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. ET
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