ALCS Preview

Kansas City Royals game 1 starter,
James Shields

The American League Championship series opens tonight in Baltimore, with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Kansas City Royals in a 7 game series to decide who will advance to the World Series. First pitch is at 8:07 p.m. The Royals will be sending their ace, James Shields to the mound to face a still to be decided pitcher for the Orioles. Although all indications point towards Chris Tillman getting the ball for the O's.

Both teams should be plenty rested, as they each team swept their opponenet 3 games to none in the division series. The Royals took care of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Orioles beat the Detroit Tigers.


Nelson Cruz of the Baltimore Orioles


You should expect a very tough-nosed, gritty, close series. Kansas City took the regualr season series over Baltimore 4 games to 3, but that can be all thrown out the window when it comes to the postseason. The key for Baltimore will definitely be their ability to hit the long ball. They led the 2014 regular season with a whopping 211 home runs, the next closest American League team was the Toronto Blue Jays with 177. For the Roylas, their bullpen will be they key. It will be interesting to see if the flamethrowers in the Kansas City bullepn can shut down Baltimore's high powered offense when they get a lead.


***Prediction
Kansas City Roylas in 7