The World Series Game 1 takes place tonight between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. The game is scheduled for an 8:07 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX. Currently the odds for the game have the Royals favored to get the opening win even though the Giants opened as the favorites.

Current Odds

Giants  -102
Royals -106

Total: 6.5 (over +107, under -118)

San Francisco being favored in the opening game of the World Series comes as no surprise. The Giants have already won two of the last three World Series over the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. A third world title in five years would make them arguably the best franchise in Major League Baseball since the late 90s-2000 New York Yankees.

Getting the ball tonight for the Giants will be Madison Bumgarner while Kansas City will send big game James Shields to the hill. Both were very good this season, but Bumgarner certainly gets an edge with his dominance in the post season. In his two previous World Series starts Bumgarner has allowed just five hits in 15 innings without giving up a run. Both Bumgarner and Shields come into the contest tonight with some rest. Shields hasn't thrown in almost two weeks, when he earned a no decision against Baltimore in the ALCS.

Kansas City has won all eight games this post season, having to come from behind in the Wild Card game late just to knock off the Oakland As to reach the divisional series. Magical tales can happen in the post season and this year's Royals certainly qualify as a great story. They don't hit the long ball or score a lot of runs, but they get excellent pitching, run the bases well and have a great defense. Sounds a lot like the Giants, actually.

The time off for the Royals could be an issue as teams have stumbled into the World Series in recent history after racing to get there. The Tigers have done it twice in the past handful of seasons, losing to the Giants and Cardinals after having multiple days off. The Royals will look to avoid that tonight and get on top in this World Series. But can we actually believe the Royals can continue to win without stubbing their toes at least once?

Certainly the Giants experience will be key here and they get a chance to use a designated hitter tonight. While Shields has been very good this season, the Giants are going to win tonight behind Bumgarner and a team full of players that have been in this situation before.

Free Pick: Giants 5, Royals 3

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