Royals vs. Orioles: ALCS Game 2 TV Schedule, Preivew, Prediction

By spencergerman @Spencito6 on October 11, 2014

ALCS Game 2: Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles(Kansas City leads series 1-0)

Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 4:07 pm EST

Probables: Yordano Ventura (14-10, 3.20 ERA) vs. Bud Norris (15-8, 3.65 ERA)

The Royals’ postseason magic hasn’t worn off just yet! After blowing a 5-1 lead in Game 1 of the ALCS, it was Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas who launched dramatic, 10th inning home runs to steal the game. Now Kansas City hands the ball to Ventura looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead back home.

As a rookie,Ventura had a great regular season, proven by his solid 3.20 ERA to go along with 159 strikeouts in 183 innings of work. His last start came in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he allowed just one run on five hits while striking out five over seven full innings. In two starts against Baltimore this season Ventura is 1-1 but has allowed just two runs. He has been reliable to say the least and if he can replicate what he did against the Angels, Kansas City could certainly win Game 2

Opposing Ventura will be Norris. The right-hander had a pretty good year in his own rights, as he posted a 3.65 ERA with 139 strikeouts. Norris was dominant in his lone postseason start as well, by hurling six and a third shutout innings in a 2-1 ALDS Game 3 win over David Price and the Detroit Tigers. He has just one start against the Royals this season, which came back on May 17, where he took the loss after allowing just one run over seven and a third innings.

Overall, these two pitchers have had equally commanding seasons, and have been effective against the other’s respective team. Should make for a terrific pitchers duel in Game 2 of the ALCS.

Kansas City’s lineup showed some pop last night in Game 1 win, by clubbing three home runs against a team that used the long ball to get here. I expect that to stay constant through the rest of the series. Eric Hosmer has been fantastic all postseason for the Royals, batting .421, and I see him continuing to come up big offensively. Meanwhile Gordon got his ALCS off to a hot start with four RBIs, so that should bode well for Kansas City’s offense as well.

Baltimore has a consistent lineup from top to bottom and they love the long ball, as their 211 home runs led the league by 25 over the next highest team. They are never out of a game. Every night, it’s someone else stepping up to get the job done, whether that be Alejandro De Aza, Ryan Flaherty, Nick Markakis or someone else. Kansas City has their hands full with this lineup because everyone is a threat.

Prediction: We’ve seen how resilient this Baltimore team has been all season long. They’ve had injuries. They’ve had suspensions. They had to go up against the last three AL Cy Young winners in the ALDS. With all the challenges they faced they have found ways to win. Even in Game 1 of this ALCS, they were down 5-1 and rallied to force extras.

I’ve said since the postseason began that other than hitting home runs, this Baltimore team doesn’t do anything great, but they go everything good. Buck Showalter has done a fantastic job piecing this team together night in and night out and getting them to where they are. With all that in mind, I don’t see how the Orioles can possibly leave their home city without the series being tied. Baltimore will get the few runs they they need off of Ventura, accompanied by a solid start from Norris, and head to Kansas City with the ALCS tied at one game a piece.

 

Spencer German is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencito6. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google