Wild Card Teams Take the World Series Stage

Two teams that were not even supposed to be in the playoffs are now at the forefront of postseason baseball. For the Kansas City Royals this is a chance to finally have a shot at the World Series title and for the San Francisco Giants, a chance to have their third world series victory within a span of five years.

For the Royals this is their first World Series appearance since winning the title 29 years ago.

To even be considered for the postseason the Royals had to go into extra innings against the Oakland Athletics to win the elimination wild card game 9-8.

The Royals had it a little easier playing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Sweeping the Angels in the division series, winning the series 3-0 and advancing to the league series.

The league series was no different. The Royals again swept the series winning 4-0 over the Baltimore Orioles, this time advancing on to the World Series.

For the San Francisco Giants, this World Series appearance will be their third one in the past five years.

It all started with the elimination wild card game that the Giants won 8-0 over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which advanced them to the Division series against the Washington Nationals.

The division series was a little harder, dropping one game to the Nationals, the Giants still prevailed winning the series 3-1 advancing them onto the league series, and one step closer to the World Series stage.

In the League series the Giants played against the St Louis Cardinals. Again dropping one game and winning the series 4-1. This time advancing them to a shot at the World Series.

Despite both teams hard work and dedication to get to where they are, most people are going with the Kansas City Royals as the favorite to win the World Series.

The reason being is that the Royals have the coveted home field advantage which is key to any series and the four starting pitchers for the Royals have all posted a second-half FIP under 3.75.

The Royals also have an offensive advantage by having a designated hitter all throughout the season, while the Giants do not.