Kansas City Royals Still Bringing Surplus Of Confidence Into World Series Game 6
By Doug LaCerte
@DLaC67
Rob Carr – Getty Images Sport
Fans who didn’t pay much attention through this season could perhaps be fooled into thinking that the Kansas City Royals have lost their mojo after losing two straight and forcing themselves into a World Series elimination game. Those folks would be laughably incorrect.
These are the same Royals that overcame a ridiculous list of adversities and crazy moments throughout the entire 2014 season. This is the same group of guys who took the sports world by storm with a one-of-a-kind postseason run that garnered the franchise dozens of records and thousands upon thousands of new fans. This is the same team that won eight straight postseason games to get here, and the same team to come back from a 7-3 deficit against their nemesis Jon Lester to win one of sports history’s greatest games.
It’s these same Royals that fought their way back from a seven-game deficit in their division to reclaim first place twice, becoming only the second team in the history of the sport to do such a thing. They’re the same club that came back again and again after being swept by subpar opponents in pivotal regular season moments. They now enter a must-win World Series game as a confident club with an oft-criticized skipper in Ned Yost who just nonchalantly told the press that he expects to play a Game 7.
Why wouldn’t he feel that way at this point? Madison Bumgarner, possibly the best postseason pitcher of his generation and inarguably the best of this season, is the only Giants starter to totally suppress a Royals lineup that is undoubtedly the weakest part of the club. The Royals lost their last two games largely because of problems with KC’s bullpen and defense. Ned really doesn’t need to worry about losing games in that manner often, especially in the playoffs.
While swagger still isn’t hard to find in KC, the Royals also knows that what they’ve done recently won’t be good enough to help them survive.
One stolen base in two attempts during this series is not enough from the best base-stealing team in baseball. A young Yordano Ventura needs to be nails to keep a hungry San Fran lineup in check, and key hitters like team MVP Alex Gordon must step up and score some runs to keep KC alive heading into Wednesday.
The Giants clearly won’t give away Game 6 without a fight, but KC will enter their next game with a calm sense of confidence that is extraordinarily well-earned.
Doug LaCerte is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
A's Become Contenders With Zobrist, Escobar Trade
The Oakland Athletics continue to make a splash in the offseason by trading for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays. Read More
5 Players The Braves Should Trade For
The Atlanta Braves have a lot more moves to make before the start of the season. Take a look at these players the Braves should consider trading for. Read More
Tigers Need A Break Out Season From Shane Greene
With multiple uncertainties in the starting rotation, it would be huge if the Detroit Tigers could get a breakout season out of newcomer Shane Greene. Read More
Tampa Bay Rays: 5 Players They Could Still Trade
With the Tampa Bay Rays heading into a transitional season, here are five players they should still look to trade. Read More
Assessing the SF Giants' 2015 25-Man Roster
The San Francisco Giants aren't as dangerous on paper as they were a season ago. Read More
Going Home To Blue Jays May Be What Axford Needs
It has been a long time since John Axford has been great. With a need for bullpen help, the Toronto Blue Jays should take a chance on him. Read More
Shields Would Be Best Ace Add For Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly interested in adding an ace, and signing James Shields would be the best way for them to do so. Read More
Power Ranking NL Central Starting Catchers
The NL Central boasts the best catchers in all of baseball. Here is how they rank heading into the 2015 season. Read More
Tigers' Alex Avila Will Benefit From Platoon Role
Here is why Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila may benefit immensely from a strict platoon with James McCann in 2015. Read More
Former Players Could Haunt Royals In 2015
The Kansas City Royals made significant moves at the end of 2014, but the Chicago White Sox changed their team in a much bigger way. The Royals will now see far more of two well-liked former players. Read More
Randy Johnson's HOF Journey No Tall Tale
Will he be a Seattle Mariner or an Arizona Diamondback in the Hall of Fame? Either way, Randy Johnson's legacy will be remembered in Seattle long before it is forgotten. Read More
Keyvius Sampson Great Fit For Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have lost a lot of organizational depth this winter. By adding Keyvius Sampson, they have a pitcher who has the talent to quickly surprise. Read More