The Royals are now in territory where it would take a miracle to prevent them from their first World Series appearance in 29 years. As you surely know, only one team in major-league history has come back from being down three games to none in a best-of-seven series to win the series -- the 2004 Red Sox. This year's Orioles don't appear to me to be that sort of team. Here's another fun fact about teams going up three games to none:
Orioles are 34th team to fall behind 3-0 in a best-of-7 series. Only one to win series: 2004 Red Sox (ALCS vs Yankees)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2014
Kansas City has won seven straight playoff games and eight in a row overall; their last loss was September 27, to the White Sox at the Cell, and they nearly pulled off one of their now-common miracle comebacks in that one, too. Since September 21 they are 14-2; as I've noted before, they're reminding me of the 2007 Rockies, who also had an incredible late-September/early-October run through the end of the regular season and postseason. That team swept both its division series and LCS before getting swept in the World Series.
The Royals have a chance to complete the first two of those events this afternoon, and if they do, they'll hope to avoid duplicating the 2007 Rockies in the World Series.
Meanwhile, the Giants are riding high after blowing a 4-0 lead and getting only one hit (by pitcher Tim Hudson) between the second and ninth innings, and then winning on a throwing error. They can take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series over the Cardinals with a win tonight, and Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco's starter this evening, has an outstanding postseason record (1.19 ERA in five career playoff starts).
This is the 20th year MLB has played in the wild-card era. We have never had an all-Wild Card World Series, but we might get one this year.
Here's all the info you'll need for today's games.
Orioles vs. Royals, ALCS Game 4. Royals lead series 3-0. TV: TBS, game time 3 p.m. CT. Starting pitchers: Miguel Gonzalez vs. Jason Vargas . Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ron Darling, Cal Ripken Jr. and Matt Winer. ESPN Radio announcers: Jon Sciambi and Chris Singleton.
Cardinals vs. Giants, NLCS Game 4. Giants lead series 2-1. TV: Fox Sports 1, game time 7 p.m. CT. Starting pitchers: Shelby Miller vs. Ryan Vogelsong . Announcers: Joe Buck, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci, Ken Rosenthal and Erin Andrews. ESPN Radio announcers: Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone.
MLB.com Gameday for Orioles/Royals
MLB.com Gameday for Cardinals/Giants
This will be the only thread for today's games. Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.