The San Francisco Giants look to close out a championship tonight in Game 7 of the World Series against 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 listed as a pretty solid favorite to win.
Kansas City dominated every facet of Game 6 on Tuesday, pulling away for a 10-0 win over the Giants. Royals fans are hoping they didn't waste all their potential run-scoring in that game as the seventh and deciding game of the World Series takes place tonight at Kauffman Stadium.
Tim Hudson will get the ball for the Giants tonight. The veteran righty lost in his first World Series game back in a close Game 3 and now Bruce Bochy and the Giants need him to dig in and give them the effort of a lifetime tonight. Kansas City knocked around everyone in the San Francisco pitching department on Tuesday night, belting out 15 hits and scoring 10 earned runs. Hudson's job tonight will obviously be to keep Kansas City off balanced as much as possible and not get behind in counts.
Fellow veteran Jeremy Guthrie gets the start for Kansas City. He pitched the Royals to a win in Game 3 over Hudson before turning it over to the bullpen. That will obviously be a big key in tonight's game — if San Francisco can score runs early off of Guthrie they're going to have a chance to win. But if they are tied or trail heading into that sixth-seventh inning, it's going to be nearly impossible for them to win against that bullpen.
The Royals have been taking advantage whenever they can in this World Series and playing at home in the biggest game in franchise history has to bring some butterflies with it. Everyone knows the story on how Kansas City hasn't been in a situation like this in 30 years. The players, Ned Yost and especially the Giants know that as well. San Francisco has the experience needed for a game like this, but history isn't exactly on their side.
Home teams have been able to pick up wins in nine straight Game 7s. The last team to win a deciding game on the road was the Pittsburgh PIrates victory at Baltimore in 1979. In all four San Francisco Game 7 appearances, the Giants have lost as well.
But with the blowout loss yesterday, the Giants should be able to re-focus and get the job done tonight. While Madison Bumgarner won't be getting the start, both he and Bochy said the lefty is available to throw in tonight's game. If the Giants get the lead early in the contest, will Bochy turn to Bumgarner in the middle innings? Or will he bring Bumgarner in whenever Hudson gets into trouble? Bumgarner will get into tonight's game, but when is the key.
In this situation, we'll go against history but still take the more experienced team, even on the road.
Free Pick: San Francisco 5, Royals 4
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