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

Oct 14, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) looks on during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

X-factors

The Giants have the experience and assurance that comes from winning 2 titles in the prior 4 seasons. This is an experienced bunch that knows they can win on the big stage.

However, Kansas City has also faced late-season pressure in their 8-0 run through the playoffs, but have not confronted real adversity since overcoming their 7-3 deficit against Oakland in the Wild Card game. Since then, they’ve only trailed for 2.2 innings over their next 7 games.

It’s possible the young Royals could lose their mojo if they fall behind the Giants, or—gasp—lose a game.

I doubt that will happen. The Royals have overcome too much to let that happen. They were 48-50 on July 21. They are the first team to overcome two seven-game deficits in the division to take over 1st place. They are the 1st team to ever come back from 4 runs down in the 8th inning of a winner-take-all game. They also are the 1st team to start off the post-season with 8 consecutive wins, and the first team to post 4 extra-inning wins in one playoff season. They’ve also posted baseball’s best record since the All-Star break at 49-23 (if you include playoff games).

I simply don’t think losing some World Series games will shake their confidence.

Plus, the Royals have the biggest x-factors in their favor. Lorde’s international smash hit was inspired by a photo of George Brett. And, most of all, the Royals will have Sung Woo Lee at Kauffman Stadium for World Series game 1.

You can read more about the affect Sung Woo had on Kansas City during his trip in August. The short version is that a fan from South Korea, that had stayed up nights watching Royals games on MLB.com, finally came to KC to see his beloved team after 20 years of fandom

The Royals responded with a winning streak that carried them to the top of the A.L. Central.