The Kansas City Royals did what they had to do in order to make the 2014 World Series competitive once again. By virtue of a 7-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday in Game 2, the series is now knotted at one game apiece and headed to San Francisco for the next three contests.
After Kansas City looked absolutely dreadful in the opener, the team needed a game like this in order to establish some competition once again. The series shifts to the Bay Area for the third game, as the Royals send out Jeremy Guthrie to pitch against Tim Hudson in what should be a fairly competitive contest.
Guthrie does not have a record in the postseason, but he carries a 1.80 playoff ERA into Game 3. He gave up just one run in five innings this postseason, and this suggests the Royals should be strong in this contest.
The biggest thing about Guthrie is his second-half invincible status. He went 8-3 with a 3.50 ERA following the All-Star break after going 5-8, 4.56 during the first half. Guthrie did not see the Giants this season but recorded a no-decision against the San Diego Padres and a win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hudson had two sides to him during the earlier postseason games. He did not record a win in either the Division Series or League Championship Series, but Hudson recorded a 1.23 ERA against the Washington Nationals and a 5.68 ERA against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Unlike Guthrie, Hudson has seen Kansas City this year. He lost on Aug. 9 when he surrendered three earned runs in six innings.
Postseason baseball is quite unlike the regular season, but Kansas City got its wake-up call in Game 2. The Royals will likely give Hudson another workout in this game, and this time the Royals will go up 2-1.
Projected final: Kansas City 4, San Francisco 2
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