Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants: In-Depth World Series Breakdown

Sep 25, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals base runner

(0) scores a run against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Kansas City defeats Chicago 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Bench and Manager Match-ups

Most pundits see the Giants having a dugout advantage with 2-time World Series winning manager Bochy against Kansas City’s Ned Yost, who is in his first playoff appearance as a manager. While Bochy is widely respected throughout the game, Yost’s decision-making had been something of a punch-line before the playoffs began.

However, Yost’s decision-making has seriously improved in the post-season.

Even so, the edge has to go to Bochy. Yet, it is not inconceivable that Kansas City’s mental edge from winning 8 consecutive games could be the deciding factor in a tight series.

Momentum is hard to stop, especially since the Royals enjoy favorable starting pitching match-ups in the first two games. If KC wins the opening two, their momentum might be impossible to overcome.

Then again, it’s also hard to see a team going for its third World Series ring in 5 years folding under pressure.

In Yost’s favor is the fact that he has far more dynamic bench options at his disposal in the late innings.

He has a power right-handed bat in Josh Willingham. He has a fabulous defensive replacement in Jarrod Dyson, who turns Kansas City’s outfield defense into something historic (read here and here). He has a pair of fleet pinch runners in Dyson and Terrance Gore who can wreck havoc on the bases in the late innings to get that one run a team needs.

These guys are impact players who can bring something special to the late innings.

To make matters worse, the Giants relievers have not done a good job holding baserunners this season, which makes them vulnerable to Kansas City’s strength.

About the only thing Yost doesn’t have is a seasoned left-handed power bat on the bench. He does, however, have Dyson—who hits from the left side—and reserve C Erik Kratz (who did flash some power late in the season).

Meanwhile, Bochy doesn’t have those kind of weapons at his disposal.

He’s got an outstanding bench bat in Mike Morse, who will DH in Kansas City. Aside from Morse, Bochy has a collection of young role players in Matt Duffy, reserve C Andrew Susac and outfielder Juan Perez—along with seasoned utility infielder Joaquin Arias.

While Bochy has great instinct on how to use his spare parts, he simply doesn’t have the playmakers that Yost can bring into the game.