Kevin's Pick(s):
Well that wasn't a good time for the Royals bullpen to fall apart last night. Vargas couldn't pitch deep enough to get to their top relief pitchers and the Giants went off.
READ THIS FIRST: Kyle has a 5 unit play going on the Giants. The pick below is for record keeping for my system picks. I would be going with Kyle's 5 UNIT play tonight, as the systems picks are just 1-3 in the World Series.
2 UNIT = Kansas City Royals @ San Francisco Giants - ROYALS TO WIN (+147)
Listed Pitchers: Shields vs Bumgarner
(Note: I'm risking 2.00 units to win 2.94 units)
Kyle's Pick(s)
5 UNIT = Kansas City Royals @ San Francisco Giants - GIANTS TO WIN (-152)
Listed Pitchers: Shields vs. Bumgarner
(Note: I'm risking 5.00 units to win 3.29 units)
If the Giants win this series, we're going to look back at the previous game and see it as a turning point. The Royals had a chance to put the Giants in a big hole and go up 3-1 in this series. Instead, they blew a 4-1 lead and now San Fran has all the momentum. Momentum is on the Giants side, and a pitcher named Madison Bumgarner is in their corner as well. Although the series is tied, that was a game KC had to win. It certainly is very possible that they lose this one against Bumgarner, and then they'll need to win 2 straight. Getting to Bumgarner isn't going to be easy, it seems like nothing is going to get to him at this point. He has been locked in throughout the postseason. Note his 1.40 ERA and 0.72 WHIP to go along with a 4-1 record. Batters are hitting only .162 against him as well. 6 is the most hits he's given up in a game in the playoffs. James Shields has been wilting under the pressure, though. He carries a 8.05 ERA this postseason into tonight. Additionally, Shields has a WHIP of 2.00. He said he tweaked his pitching mechanics and feels confident about game 5. A pitcher addressing mechanics days before game 5 of the World Series does not instill any confidence in me. The Royals and their chance yesterday to take firm control of this series, they blew it. Now they're going to have their hands full against Bumgarner. I'll be on the Giants for 5 UNITS.
Cheers,
Kevin