The San Francisco Giants cruised past the Kansas City Royals in Game 4, and now they will turn to ace Madison Bumgarner in a crucial Game 5.
Royals vs. Giants, 2014 World Series Game 5: Time, TV schedule, live stream and more
With the series now knotted up at 2-2, the Giants and Royals turn to their respective aces in a crucial Game 5.
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The Royals have the luxury of handing the ball to their No. 1 starter, James Shields, but the veteran right-hander didn't exactly impress in his first outing of the series in Game 1. Shields allowed a three-run home run to Hunter Pence in the first inning and lasted just three frames before San Francisco blew the game open early. The 32-year-old Shields has struggled all postseason, posting a 7.11 ERA in four outings, while pitching past the fifth inning only once.
Bumgarner, on the other hand, has been baseball’s best pitcher in these playoffs, and he stymied the Royals’ bats to open the series. The left-hander tossed seven innings, surrendering just three hits and one run and striking out five batters. The performance was indicative of Bumgarner’s consistent success this October. In five starts this postseason, Bumgarner has compiled a 1.40 ERA, striking out 33 batters and walking just six. He has pitched at least seven innings in all five of his outings, lowering his career ERA in the postseason to 2.54 in the process.
All signs point to Bumgarner and the Giants having an edge after coming off a big victory in Game 4. But the Royals also have an opportunity to take command of the series before it shifts back to Kansas City for the series’ final two games. You couldn’t ask for much more than Bumgarner vs. Shields in a vital Game 5 matchup.
Game time: 8:07 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Radio: ESPN Radio (affiliate locator)
Streaming: MLB.tv; Fox Sports Go app
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