ALCS Game 3
Baltimore Orioles at Kansas City Royals
Time: 8:05 ET, Oct 14, 2014
Spread: BAL -1.5
Total: 7.5
Betting odds courtesy of Bovada
The Kansas City Royals have had luck, or late game skill, rather, to thank for taking a 2-0 series lead against the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS. Game 3 yesterday was delayed until tonight due to torrential rains in Kansas City, but the Orioles remain undeterred despite having to come from behind in this series. MLB oddsmakers seem to be expecting Baltimore to rally, setting the line 1.5 points in favor of the visiting Orioles.
Baltimore in no way considers this 0-2 hole fatal. Buck Showalter said “You’ve got to win four games. You’ve got to keep from losing three…but you look at teams that compete during the course of the season, and they compete on the road, too.”
Baltimore did post a 46-35 regular season road game, but was best known for its dominance at home. A team built on power, Baltimore hopes to get its hitters going in an offense-friendly ballpark to win its first game in this series. A startling fact, however, is that of the teams that have fallen behind 0-2, none of the teams have advanced to the World Series. Can Baltimore be the first?
Wei-Yin Chen will get the call for Baltimore and the Royals will start former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie.
The Royals also made history, becoming the first team in MLB history to win four straight playoff games in extra innings, after winning in a 10-inning debacle in Game 1, and then again in Game 2 on Saturday. Royals coach Greg Holland simply said, “Over the past few years we’ve played a lot of close games…it kind of builds on itself (winning) and you know you can.”
The Royals have a strong pen should Chen falter early. Considering neither team has pitched the SP late into the game yet, this gives KC a slight edge. Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson even went as far as to say “We just want to get the ball to our bullpen with the lead. If we do that, we know we got it.”
Guthrie will get his first start since Sept. 26, and the Royals are hoping he’s not rusty. He’s simulated two games in the bullpen, but facing a team with something on the line is far more demanding.
Chen did well against the Royals earlier this season, and coupled with some better hitting from the Orioles, it could help spell the victory that MLB oddsmakers anticipate. Chen is undeterred by the hole, as well, saying through an interpreter, “I just want to pitch a good game.” For the Orioles, that’s all they need, if the offense gets going as it should.
