Royals vs. Giants: Game 3 Time, TV Info, Live Stream and More

After the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants split the first two games of the World Series, the action will continue on the West Coast in Game 3.

Fans were ready to call the Giants champions after a Game 1 victory, but the Royals stormed back like they have all postseason and evened things up in Game 2. Kansas City will now have to keep up its winning ways on the road in what should be an exciting third game.

The question is which offense will be able to come through after each team scored seven runs in their wins. With each side moving toward the back of their rotations, there will be more opportunities for runs. Whichever squad can take advantage of the chances will be the successful one.

Here is a look at what you need to know heading into Game 3.

When: Friday, Oct. 24

Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California

Time: 8:07 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: MLB.tv ($9.99 subscription)

Pitching Battle: Tim Hudson vs. Jeremy Guthrie

Harry How/Getty Images

There are hundreds of stories of players who never got to enjoy the World Series, but Tim Hudson has been close a lot of times without ever pitching at this level.

In his 16-year career with the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves and Giants, he has been in the playoffs seven times. However, this will be the first-ever World Series start for the 39-year-old veteran.

Hunter Pence is rooting for him to do well, explaining to Albert Chen of Sports Illustrated:

"

I'm just going to be happy for him when he takes the mound. To play all those years, in so many postseasons, to finally have the chance… I can't imagine the feeling. Yeah, we've rallied around him. And we have so much confidence going home now because he's been so good for us, so solid, start after start. Huddy really saved us this season.

"

While the emotions will be running high, the more important question is whether he will be able to help the team.

Sure, he reached the All-Star Game this season with a great first half and had a great start against the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series. Unfortunately, this was one of only two quality starts since the end of August. The Giants lost all five of Hudson's starts in September, as he posted an 8.72 ERA over the last month of the season.

He has the ability to give San Francisco some quality innings, but there is always the threat that he will struggle mightily.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Guthrie does not instill too much confidence either. Mark Viviano of WJZ Baltimore joked about how far he has come:

The former Baltimore Orioles pitcher twice led the league in losses before finding a home in Kansas City. The good news is he has at least been pitching well as of late, allowing one earned run or fewer in each of his last four starts and six of his last eight, including in the American League Championship Series.

If he can provide another strong outing for the Royals, it could put the team in great position in the series going forward.

Prediction: Royals 5, Giants 3

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The big divider in this series is the bullpen, which has been solid for San Francisco but lights-out for Kansas City.

Throughout the postseason, the Royals bullpen has a 7-0 record with a 1.81 ERA. The late-inning trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland have been even more impressive, allowing just three total runs in 29.1 innings. 

What this does is virtually shorten the game to six innings for opponents. Instead of asking Guthrie to go seven or eight innings, he really only needs to keep the Giants off the board for five or six.

On the other hand, San Francisco will be much more reliant on Hudson to have a strong start and hold things together deep into the game. With the way the Royals are capable of hitting, this is not good news for the Giants.

The Royals can get off to a hot start and find a way to hold on for the important road win.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.