Quick Recap
The Royals took a 2-1 series lead after their 3-2 victory at AT&T Park Friday night. Eric Hosmer delivered the game winning RBI in the top of the sixth giving KC a 3-0 lead. The Giants were able to score two in the sixth, but the great Royals bullpen was able to hold off the Giants hitters and secure a series lead heading into Game 4.
Starting Pitchers
Jason Vargas (Royals): 11-10, 3.71 ERA, 128 Strikeouts
Vargas will take the mound Saturday for the Royals. In two 2014 postseason starts, Vargas is posting a 2.38 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched. He’s performed well for the Royals this year, and has really shown up in October. With a 2-1 series lead, and Madison Bumgarner pitching Game 5, the Royals need a big start from Vargas to put them only one win away from a World Series Championship.
Ryan Vogelsong (Giants): 8-13, 4.00 ERA, 151 Strikeouts
When the Giants won the World Series back in 2012, Vogelsong was dominant throughout the postseason with a 1.09 ERA in four games started, but 2014 has been a different story for the Giants pitcher. In two starts this postseason, he’s pitched only 8.2 innings and given up five earned runs for an ERA of 5.19. Vogelsong really struggled in his last start against the Cardinals, only pitching three innings. With the Giants down 2-1, they need a strong start from him in order potentially take a series lead with their ace Bumgarner on the mound Sunday.
Impact Hitters
Eric Hosmer (Royals): .270 Average, 9 Homers, 58 RBI, .318 OPB
Hosmer has had a remarkable postseason batting .359 with two homeruns, nine RBI, and a .590 slugging percentage; not to mention some pretty good plays at first base. The 24-year-old is a big part of the Royals lineup and a guy they rely on for a big hit in key situations, and so far he’s delivered when called upon.
Mike Moustakas (Royals): .212 Average, 15 Homers, 54 RBI, .271 OPB
Like Hosmer, Moustakas has had a great postseason with a few clutch hits along the way. He’s hit four homeruns this playoff season with five RBI and an average of .256. Moustakas has shown off at the plate, while also flashing the glove at third, making an impact on both sides of the ball.
Pablo Sandoval (Giants): .279 Average, 16 Homers, 73 RBI, .324 OBP
Sandoval has been one of the best hitters in the Giants lineup, especially when it comes to their postseason success. The Giants third baseman is batting .321 with three RBI this postseason. With the Giants now down in the series, they need big hits from Sandoval, especially as their cleanup hitter.
Hunter Pence (Giants): .277 Average, 20 Homers, 74 RBI, .332 OBP
Pence is an ignitor for the Giants, and has been for as long as he’s been with the club. He’s able to pump up the guys in the dugout not only with his words, but with his play in right field and with the swing of his bat. Pence is batting .286 this postseason with one homerun and five RBI, but has also been walked eight times. He is meaningful to this team in more ways than one, and makes an impact that can cause a shift in momentum.
Pitching Advantage: The Royals have the pitching advantage in Game 4. With Vogelsong struggling, and Vargas pitching well this postseason, KC wins the pitching battle. Not to mention they have a bullpen that is lights out.
Hitting Advantage: The hitting advantage also goes to the Royals in this one. Vogelsong’s struggles will be something the KC hitters will look to exploit and take advantage of. Guys like Hosmer, Moustakas, and Alex Gordon are all capable of coming up with the big hit to break a game open, and will look to do that tonight.
The Royals will win because they have the upper hand in this game. Their starting pitcher has performed better, and their hitters have been great all postseason long. This club is also resilient and will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead.
The Giants will win because Vogelsong will return to his normal postseason form and brush off a couple of poor starts. Their hitters will get to Vargas early, and Vogelsong will shut down the tough KC bats.
Final Prediction
Royals 5
Giants 3