Giants vs. Royals: Predicting World Series X-Factors in Game 7

After watching so many twists and turns over the course of the 2014 World Series, it's only fitting that Game 7 will be taking place just prior to Halloween. Due to immense variations in results from game to game, consistency hasn't exactly been a word used to describe this year's championship series through six contests.

The right players stepping up when it matters most is the most important factor in any pivotal contest in any sport. Obviously, Game 7 of the World Series fits well into that category. So, we're left with this burning question: Which players from each team will be the final game's X-factors?

As we await the enthralling conclusion to the 2014 MLB season, let's take a look at a couple of players from each squad who will have a big hand in the World Series' outcome—one way or another.

Kansas City Royals

Alcides Escobar

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Here's one thing we know about Kansas City's lineup: All it takes is one hit to get these streaky hitters going, resulting in a slew of quick runs. Here's something else we know about the lineup: Escobar bats first.

The last time Giants' Game 7 starter Tim Hudson took the mound was in Game 3. He did well, allowing four hits and three runs over 5.2 innings, but the Royals wasted little time scoring the first run of the game, doing so in the first inning. That was Escobar's doing.

The shortstop nailed a leadoff double to left and followed it up with some nice baserunning, getting to third on Alex Gordon's groundout to first. He scored one hit later, heading home as Lorenzo Cain grounded out to short. That kind of small ball is how the Royals generate runs, and Escobar is a big catalyst for getting things going.

That hit also ended a nice hitless streak for Hudson, via Fox Sports MLB:

He's done this time and time again for the Royals. In Game 6, his infield single was one of the biggest keys to the team's seven-run second inning. If he can get his bat going once again in Game 7, Kansas City has a great chance to notch a win in front of its home crowd.

Kelvin Herrera

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With Jeremy Guthrie set to take the mound for Kansas City in Game 7, Herrera should expect to be called into action. Guthrie has pitched well lately, but he may not last much more than five innings. That was the case when he last made an appearance in Game 3.

Herrera is capable of throwing one-plus innings and should be the first called out of the bullpen once Guthrie is hooked from the game. After the reliever's Game 5 performance, he'll be coming in with a chip on his shoulder.

After eight consecutive scoreless appearances, Herrera gave up two runs in Game 5 in an uncharacteristic performance. Those two runs would have been big difference-makers in the outcome of Game 3 (the final score was 3-2), so Herrera must be on point this time around.

Here's how good Herrera looked on the mound prior to that Game 5 showing, via Jon Morosi of Fox Sports 1:

Should the reliever come in and produce another flawless performance, the likes of Wade Davis and Greg Holland can close out the game. The series could wind up resting on this right-hander's arm.

San Francisco Giants

Pablo Sandoval

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Sandoval has been Mr. Clutch at the plate for the Giants throughout the postseason. In 16 postseason contests, he's recorded at least one hit in all but two. Batting fourth in the lineup, he'll play an enormous role in Game 7, as he attempts to get the struggling San Francisco bats going once again.

Like the Royals, the Giants have relied very heavily on manufacturing runs by playing small ball throughout the postseason. Sandoval's ability to get hot quickly will go a long way in combating a fired-up Royals team in front of its home crowd.

Sandoval isn't unfamiliar with this task. He's been a postseason hero before, and he's just shy of duplicating that feat again this year, according to Fox Sports MLB:

The last time Guthrie got the start for Kansas City was in Game 3 of the world series. That was one of the only two times Sandoval didn't record a hit in the postseason. The end result was a one-run loss. If he can get his bat going this time around, it could be a very different story.

Jeremy Affeldt

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Royals are known to have a fantastic bullpen, but with Affeldt in the fold, the Giants have a dangerous weapon of their own. Affeldt has earned plenty of rest since he last pitched in Game 4 of the World Series. That contest marked his 10th consecutive postseason appearance this season without allowing a run.

Here's a look at the reliever's gaudy numbers throughout the playoffs:

IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	Pit	BF	ERA
9.1	4	0	0	0	2	2	107	31	0.00

Take a glance at exactly how long Affeldt has been keeping that trend going, via MLB Stat of the Day:

Keeping up this impressive scoreless streak will be key in Game 7. The Royals offense has a tendency to get on a hot streak after a couple of hits. Once Affeldt is called into the game, he has the ability to cool those bats down to keep things close.

One scoreless inning could mark the difference between returning to San Francisco as champions or runners-up.