World Series 2014: Schedule and Predictions for Royals vs. Giants Game 4

Let this sink in for a minute—the Kansas City Royals are two victories away from winning the World Series.

Kansas City stuck to its familiar postseason formula of impressive defense and dominant bullpen pitching on Friday to scrap together a 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The Royals will try to do the same thing again on Saturday in Game 4. 

Here is a look at the essential information for the critical contest before a preview and prediction.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 25

Time (ET): 8:07 p.m. 

TV: Fox

Preview/Prediction 

Uncredited/Associated Press

ESPN Stats & Info and Elias Sports Bureau noted that the Royals have history on their side heading into Saturday's contest:

Kansas City will send pitcher Jason Vargas to the mound in Game 4. He has been impressive thus far in the postseason, giving up two runs in six innings in the American League Division Series against the Los Angeles Angels and then tallying the victory in the American League Championship Series clincher against the Baltimore Orioles with 5.1 innings of work and a single run allowed.

His playoff numbers stand in stark contrast to the 1-5 record and 5.89 ERA he put up in his final seven starts of the regular season, which is encouraging for Kansas City supporters.

Vargas actually faced the Giants back in August and allowed two runs in five innings in a 4-2 victory. A similar five-inning performance would probably bring the Royals to within one win of the World Series title because their dominant bullpen would take care of the rest.

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

The Royals pitched four hitless innings of relief in Game 3, which was the most in a World Series game in 22 years. Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Finnegan, Wade Davis and Greg Holland did what they always do and closed the door on the Giants.

ESPN Stats & Info pointed out just how dominant Holland, who is tied for the most saves in a single postseason in MLB history with seven, has been recently:

The Royals bullpen has held opponents to a .161 batting average in the playoffs, and manager Ned Yost discussed the performance, according to The Associated Press, via ESPN.com:

"

This is the way our games have gone all year. I'm getting really good at protecting a one-run lead because a lot of times that's exactly what we have to deal with. 

But I have the necessary tools to be able to do that. It's not me doing it. It's the guys that we put out there that are doing it. We have the type of pitchers in our bullpen that can accomplish that.

"

As for the Giants, some thought there would be a decision to be made on the starting pitcher for Game 4 after Friday's loss. However, Scott Miller of Bleacher Report/Turner Sports argued that Madison Bumgarner should not be the answer for Saturday's contest:

It's not as if Ryan Vogelsong is a poor option considering his 3-0 record and 2.16 ERA in six career postseason starts. He pitched 5.2 innings of shutout ball in his only World Series appearance in 2012 as well and helped the Giants knock off the Detroit Tigers for the title.

Harry How/Getty Images

While Vogelsong has been solid in the postseason throughout his career, the thought here is that the Royals do exactly what they have done all playoffs.

It is simply impossible to pick against Kansas City right now the way it has the path to victory in the postseason memorized. It will once again scrap together a couple of timely runs and take a lead into the sixth inning, which will mean the game is virtually over.

It takes some of the pressure off Vargas to enter the game knowing he only has to be effective for a handful of innings. That same pressure can be turned around when it comes to Vogelsong because he will understand that he cannot let his team fall behind early.

Unfortunately for the Giants, that is exactly what will happen. 

Prediction: Royals 5, Giants 3

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