In a thrilling seven game series, the San Francisco Giants came out on top, clinching their 3rd World Series title in five years, dating back to 2010, proving they are worth the title “Dynasty”.
The Giants started out the season with the best record in baseball for the month of May, but then suffered from season-ending injuries to key players, like Matt Cain and Angel Pagan. They quickly fell from leading the division to second place, where they stayed for the rest of the season.
After earning a spot in the NL wildcard game, the Giants beat the Pirates 8-0 and then went on to beat the Nationals and Cardinals in the NLDS and NLCS respectively. The Giants were headed to the World Series for the 3rd time since 2010.
The Kansas City Royals were the clear favorite going into the World Series. Statistically they had the advantage over the Giants. Their lights-out bullpen and powerhouse sluggers had swept every team they faced, giving them an incredible 8-0 record as they approached the final round of the playoffs.
In Game 1 many thought it was going to be a hard fought battle between the starting pitchers, Madison Bumgarner and James Shields, but it was not much of a battle at all. Shields’ night was cut short after giving up 5 runs in only 3.1 innings. 5 runs was more than enough run support for Bumgarner, as he finished the night with one earned run in seven strong innings pitched. The Giants ran away with game one, the final score being 7-1.
The Giants’ momentum quickly came to a halt as the Royals offense lit up against starting pitcher Jake Peavy in Game 2. After a five run 6th, Ned Yost relied on the Royals’ bullpen to do what they do best: get batters out. The Giants offense couldn’t overcome the deficit the Royals had created and ended up losing 7-2.
The series moved to San Francisco for games three, four and five. After winning one a piece in games 3 and 4, the Giants and Royals found themselves in a 2-2 series tie. The Giants gave the ball to Bumgarner once again in game five, where he had a stellar complete game shutout. He was the first pitcher in World Series history to pitch a complete game shutout with more than 8 strikeouts and no walks.
With the Royals down in the series 3-2, game 6 was a must win. Much like game two, the Royals’ offense came to life and destroyed Giants pitching, forcing a highly anticipated Game 7.
Both Bruce Bochy and Ned Yost knew before Game 7 that their starting pitchers would have a very short leash. Royals’ pitcher Jeremy Guthrie got into trouble early, giving up two runs in the top of the second inning. However the Royals answered back and tied the game at two in the bottom of the second inning.
After a Michael Morse single that gave the Giants a 3-2 lead, the game had turned into a battle of the bullpens. Middle reliever Jeremy Affeldt pitched 2.1 flawless innings setting the stage for the Giants’ not-so-secret weapon, Bumgarner.
Even on short rest, Bumgarner looked as sharp as ever. The Royals had struggled tremendously against him the entire series, and this game was no exception. Over the course of five innings, Bumgarner struck out four and allowed zero runs, lowering his World Series ERA to an unbelievable 0.43. He was able to close out the game, win the World Series MVP and secure the Giants’ 3rd World Series title in 5 years.
The 110th Fall Classic was one to remember. Madison Bumgarner had one of the best postseason performances in baseball history and because of that he and the Giants brought another World Series trophy to the bay and another parade to the corner of 3rd and King.