MLB Playoffs Schedule & Predictions: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Face Kansas City Royals in AL Division Series
The 2014 Major League Baseball postseason is off to a fantastic start.
Both the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants won their respective wild card games to advance to the second round of the postseason. There are only eight teams remaining in the chase for the exclusive World Series Championship.
Two of those teams are the Royals and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Royals and Angels will face off in a best three of five game series to determine who plays in the American League Championship. The winner of this series will take on the winner of the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles series.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals have become the Cinderella team of the 2014 season. With their backs against the wall, down 7-3 against the Oakland Athletics, the Royals rallied to pull off the comeback in 12 innings. Playing small ball just keeps working for this team with bunts, stolen bases, and sacrifice hits.
The Royals finished the season 89-73, good enough for second place in the American League Central behind the Detroit Tigers. Although the Royals didn't win the division, this is their first postseason appearances since 1985. Their playoff victory over the Athletics was also their first since 1985.
Jarrod Dyson has been a huge factor for the Royals success with his team-leading 36 stolen bases. This Royals team ranked last in home runs hit, but had three players with at least 150 hits on the season. Those players were Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar. If the Royals can just get on base they are very dangerous.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Angels had the best record during the regular season at 98-64, as no team reached the 100-win mark this season. There's a great chance we will see Mike Trout get the American League Most Valuable Player Award. Trout hit 36 home runs and drove in 11 runs this season. Even veteran Albert Pujols showed sign of resurgence, ranking second on the team with 105 runs batted in.
Pitchers Jered Weaver and Matt Shoemaker have been fantastic this season for the Angels. This will be the Angels first postseason appearance since 2009, but they hope to make a big impression. This team has spent a lot money in the previous offseasons, so it's good to see it finally pay off.
With so much attention being paid to the Los Angeles Dodgers and pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the Angels are trying to show they're the top team in Los Angeles. Maybe this postseason, there just might be some Angels in the outfield.
Pitchers
For Game 1, Jason Vargas of the Royals will start against Jered Weaver of the Angels.
Schedule
Game 1 will played at Angel Stadium at 9:07 p.m. EST on TBS. The Angels have home-field advantage because they have a superior record.
Game 2: in Anaheim, 9:37 p.m. EST
Game 3: in Kansas City, 7:37 p.m. EST
Game 4: in Kansas City, time TBD
Game 5: in Anaheim, time TBD
Live stream coverage of the game can be seen on TBS.com.
Predictions:
During the regular season, the Royals and Angels tied with each other three games each, having played six games. This should be an exciting series that goes the distance. The Royals never give up, but the Angels are just better overall, and they know they must won one postseason series.
Angels win series 3-2
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