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October 17, 2014

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Royals storm into World Series with ALCS sweep

THE Kansas City Royals are into the World Series for the first time since 1985 after beating Baltimore 2-1 on Wednesday to complete a 4-0 sweep of the American League Championship Series.

The Royals likely opponents would be the San Francisco Giants, who beat St Louis 6-4 to take a 3-1 series lead in the National League decider, and they can clinch a World Series berth with a home win over the Cardinals today.

Kansas City again proved to be the master of close games, beating the Orioles by a single run for the third time in the series, having won three other extra-inning games earlier in the playoffs.

“It’s been an amazing run. This is great,” said left fielder Alex Gordon, who made a crucial and courageous catch which resulted in a jarring collision with the left-field wall. “Today, same old story: good pitching, good defense and scratch out a win.”

Outfielder Lorenzo Cain was selected Most Valuable Player of the ALCS, batting .533 and leading an outstanding defense.

After holding the Orioles to three hits in Game 3 on Tuesday, Royals starter Jason Vargas and the bullpen nearly did so again. Relievers Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis ushered the game to closer Greg Holland, who matched Dennis Eckersley’s record by saving his fourth game in the ALCS.

Kansas City will host the first two World Series games beginning next Tuesday. While San Francisco now seems the destined opponent, if St Louis turns around the NL series, it will set up a reprise of the 1985 World Series, when the Royals won their only MLB title by beating the Cardinals.

Regardless of the opponent, the Royals will carry an 11-game playoff win streak into the World Series, one shy of the major league record. The first three date back to 1985 and after a 29-year absence from the postseason, the Royals have thrived by winning eight in a row in this campaign. That includes the wildcard playoff against the Oakland Athletics, then three straight wins to beat the Los Angeles Angels in the AL Division Series.

Meanwhile in San Francisco, Buster Posey drove in three runs and the Giants took advantage of some poor defense by St Louis first baseman Matt Adams, winning 6-4.

Having won the World Series in 2010 and 2012, San Francisco is in good shape to continue its recent knack of taking the ultimate prize in even-numbered years.

The Cardinals have good reason to believe they can mount a comeback, as in 2012 it was St Louis that led San Francisco 3-1 in the NLDS only for the Giants to reel off three-straight wins to advance.




 

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