World Series 2014: Schedule and Predictions for Royals vs. Giants Game 5

Game 4 of the 2014 World Series featured an absolute meltdown by the Kansas City Royals. The team quickly watched its 4-2 lead turn into an 11-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. On the heels of that blowout victory, the series is all tied up once again.

With each team winning two games, we're down to a best-of-three championship series. Game 5 is pivotal for both teams; however, it's the final stand at home for the Giants. Rest assured, they'll be aiming to continue riding their Game 4 momentum. The Royals, on the other hand, need to bounce back in a big way to quickly stop the bleeding.

Both of these clubs have now gone through their entire pitching rotations. Starters Madison Bumgarner and James Shields will take the mound for the second time in this series, and they'll have their work cut out for them against lineups that combined for 28 hits Saturday evening.

As we wait for these teams to take the field once more, let's first glance at the full Game 5 schedule and predict the contest's ultimate outcome.

Viewing Information

Series: Tied 2-2

When: Sunday, October 26

Where: AT&T Park in San Francisco, California

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: Fox

Live Stream: MLB.tv (requires subscription)

Game 5 Preview and Prediction

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The Game 1 starters return to the mound for these teams, and it's easy to imagine Shields would like to see a different outcome. He was pelted by the Giants earlier in the series, lasting just three innings and giving up seven hits and five earned runs for a 15.00 ERA and a loss.

ESPN Stats & Info tweeted the batting average Shields is allowing over the postseason:

Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence got the best of Shields in that contest, and much to the pitcher's chagrin, both hitters are on fire following Saturday's win. Sandoval continues his offensive prowess, accumulating two more hits and two RBI in Game 4, while Pence notched three hits and three RBI of his own.

This is not an offense any struggling pitcher would want to face.

Making matters worse for the Royals is the return of Bumgarner. The pitcher was virtually unhittable in Game 1. He lasted seven innings, giving up just three hits and one run en route to a 1.29 ERA and a win. Manager Bruce Bochy made it known he's confident in his pitcher after a full period of rest, via Newsday's Erik Boland:

Only Salvador Perez could muster a home run off the starter for Kansas City's lone score of the game. Perez did notch three hits and one RBI on Saturday. He's been clutch so far in this series, and he may be relied upon to spark the Royals offense and get the team's bats going against a very tough pitcher in Game 5.

San Francisco took a page out of Kansas City's book in Game 4 in terms of relief pitching. The Giants bullpen was simply astounding after starter Ryan Vogelsong lasted just 2.2 innings after giving up seven hits and four runs.

Yusmeiro Petit continued to thrive as the team's multi-inning reliever, going three strong innings while allowing just two hits and zero runs en route to a win. From there, the reliable Jeremy Affeldt and Sergio Romo—along with Hunter Strickland—closed out the game without allowing another run.

Yahoo Sports MLB tweeted Petit's deserving headline:

"

Petit's clutch relief carries Giants bullpen again (Yahoo Sports) http://t.co/RKkG8V901N #MLB

— Yahoo Sports MLB (@YahooSportsMLB) October 26, 2014"

Kansas City may be chock-full of great relief pitchers, but they weren't present on Saturday. Brandon Finnegan would rather forget his performance, as he allowed five hits and five runs over just one inning of work for the loss and a 27.00 ERA. This team desperately needs its starters to last longer so it can call upon the likes of Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis.

All of the advantages point toward the Giants for Game 5. The team's lineup is on fire right now, and it's hitting with runners in scoring position. Bumgarner has been completely clutch in the postseason, and there's no reason to think Sunday will be any different. Meanwhile, San Francisco has the bullpen to finish the job once the starter leaves the game.

Expect the home team to notch another win as the Giants take a 3-2 series lead before heading back to Kansas City for Game 6.

Prediction: Giants 5, Royals 3