Post-season Gameday Thread, #15: Royals treat

5:07pm Arizona time, Fox: series tied 0-0

I don't know if there's much more to be said in regard to previewing this series than Clefo said for his epic preview last night. But I'll try.  Both sides should be well rested, the Giants and Royals having made short work of their Championship Series opponents, with only one game dropped, and that means both throw their nominal aces into the fray for the opening contents. However, on their post-seasons to date, only Bumgarner deserves that honorific based on performance, and if that continues tonight, the Royals are going to find themselves with an uphill struggle in the opening game.

That said, Kansas City has an insane amount of momentum, having reeled off eight consecutive victories this post-season. and 11 in all, one off the all-time record. [Say what you like about their playoff drought, it will be 29 years on Thursday since their last loss in the post-season ] I think it's ironic that the new playoff format was supposed to lead to the wild-card teams being at a serious disadvantage in subsequent rounds, but this year, those two teams have combined to go 14-2 thereafter, both steamrollering their way to this final confrontation. Obviously, I'm pulling for the Royals, and holding serve in the opener will be huge.

As usual, there's a slew of odds for the World Series, covering just about every conceivable number. Here's a run down from bovada.lv.

Series prices

• Kansas City Royals -120 (5/6)
• San Francisco Giants EVEN (1/1)

Exact Series Result

• San Francisco Giants 4-0 12/1
• San Francisco Giants 4-1 6/1
• San Francisco Giants 4-2 5/1
• San Francisco Giants 4-3 9/2
• Kansas City Royals 4-0 12/1
• Kansas City Royals 4-1 11/2
• Kansas City Royals 4-2 4/1
• Kansas City Royals 4-3 15/4

Odds to win the 2014 World Series MVP

• Pablo Sandoval (SF) 8/1
• Buster Posey (SF) 17/2
• Lorenzo Cain (KC) 9/1
• Eric Hosmer (KC) 10/1
• Mike Moustakas (KC) 10/1
• Alex Gordon (KC) 12/1
• Hunter Pence (SF) 12/1
• Madison Bumgarner (SF) 12/1
• James Shields (KC) 14/1
• Alcides Escobar (KC) 15/1
• Brandon Belt (SF) 15/1
• Jake Peavy (SF) 15/1
• Santiago Casilla (SF) 15/1
• Greg Holland (KC) 15/1
• Travis Ishikawa (SF) 16/1
• Billy Butler (KC) 16/1
• Joe Panik (SF) 16/1
• Norichika Aoki (KC) 20/1
• Yordano Ventura (KC) 25/1
• Brandon Crawford (SF) 25/1

Will a Pitcher win the 2014 World Series MVP?

• Yes +175 (7/4)
• No -250 (2/5)

Total Games in Series

• Four 6/1
• Five 5/2
• Six 17/10
• Seven 9/5

How many games will go to extra innings?

• Over ½ -150 (2/3)
• Under ½ +110 (11/10)

Will any game end on a Walkoff hit?

• Yes 7/5
• No 4/7

Will any game end on a Walkoff home run?

• Yes 13/2
• No 1/12

Total Home Runs

• Giants: Over/Under 4½
• Royals: Over/Under 3½

How many steals will the Kansas City Royals Record?

• Royals SB: Over/Under 6

Will any manager or player get ejected during the 2014 World Series?

• Yes 5/2
• No 1/4

How many calls will get overturned after replay?

• Over 1 4/7
• Under 1 7/5

Will there be a Grand Slam in the 2014 World Series?

• Yes 4/1
• No 1/6

Will Any Game End in a Shutout?

• Yes EVEN (1/1)
• No -130 (10/13)

Which Teams Designated hitters will have the highest batting average?

• San Francisco Giants EVEN (1/1)
• Kansas City Royals -130 (10/13)

Which Team will Record More Errors?

• San Francisco Giants EVEN (1/1)
• Kansas City Royals -130 (10/13)

Which Team will have a lower Bullpen ERA

• San Francisco Giants -130 (10/13)
• Kansas City Royals EVEN (1/1)

Player Props

Most Hits, Runs and RBI's in the series

• Hunter Pence (SF) -130 (10/13)
• Alex Gordon (KC) EVEN (1/1)

• Brandon Belt (SF) -130 (10/13)
• Billy Butler (KC) EVEN (1/1)

• Buster Posey (SF) -130 (10/13)
• Lorenzo Cain (KC) EVEN (1/1)

• Pablo Sandoval (SF) -130 (10/13)
• Eric Hosmer (KC) EVEN (1/1)