The World Series is officially a series after the Kansas City Royals tied things up in Game 2 after a dominating performance at the plate. The team suffered their first postseason loss in Game 1 thanks to a strong performance from Madison Bumgarner, but bounced back in Game 2 before hitting the road for AT&T Park. Eric Hosmer admitted that the Royals put a focus on the bats in Game 2 and things worked out. Now the teams head to San Francisco for a statement Game 3.
The Giants will put veteran pitcher Tim Hudson on the mound for his first ever start in a World Series. Hudson has never reached this point in a season despite being 35-years-old and having a lengthy professional career. Hudson put up 6.1 innings pitched in his last start against St. Louis while giving up four earned runs in the process. Despite never reaching this point in the postseason, Hudson remains confident in his abilities to handle the pressue.
The Royals will send Jeremy Guthrie to the mound who last pitched five innings against the Baltimore Orioles, giving up just one earned run. Guthrie has looked strong in the postseason so far, but everyone is well aware that it is Kansas City's bullpen that is making all of the difference for the team. The dynamic trip of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland continue to be the x-factors in every game for Kansas City and the Royals need them to continue that.
AT&T Park is certainly not designed for hitters and being a National League park, Bill Butler and Michael Morse will lose their spots. Both hitters have come up big during the postseason so far. The winds should be pretty deadly for Game 3 which could play a huge role for Kansas City. Only seven players on the roster have experience at the ballpark. Omar Infante has a .307 batting average in 19 games at the stadium while Josh Willingham is hitting .352 with five home runs at the park.
