Morning Marquee: Royals sweep O’s to win pennant; Giants one game away

The Kansas City Royals return to the World Series for the first time in 29 years after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles with a 2-1 victory at Kauffman Stadium. Eight games. Eight victories. The Royals are building a postseason habit that they may not want to break.

If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. And the Royals are following that advice. More great defense, including Alex Gordon‘s great grab as he crashed into the left field wall. Some timely hitting and good hustle led to the two runs, which would hold up due to the last piece of the puzzle. Another lockdown effort from the KC bullpen.

After allowing a run in the third, Jason Vargas and the Royals bullpen held the O’s scoreless the rest of the way. When teams can’t get to your starter, and your bullpen is posting zeros, that’s when you win eight straight in the playoffs.

Lorenzo Cain earned the ALCS MVP honors for his performance. He was one of many worthy recipients for the award. Cain hit .533 (8-for-15), and played an air-tight center field throughout the series. He was the third Royal to win the award–Frank White in 1980 and George Brett in 1985.

The Royals will host Game 1 of the 110th World Series on Tuesday night, facing either the San Francisco Giants or the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Giants used a sixth-inning rally to snatch the game away from the Cardinals, putting themselves one win away from another World Series appearance. The Giants, who won in 2010 and 2012, continue to play the same style of baseball that won it for them in the past.

You can call it “small ball”. Ryan Vogelsong calls it “Giants karma”. Whatever it is, it’s working. Two of the three-run sixth were scored without the benefit of a hit. 12 of the last 22 runs they’ve scored in the postseason have been scored without one. The two LCS series are a true indicator the “steroid era” has ended, and good old strategic baseball is back at the head of the game. The two teams will meet tonight at AT&T Park as the Cardinals look to avoid elimination.

The Baltimore Orioles don’t appear they will pick up the hefty option on outfielder Nick Markakis. The eight-year veteran has spent his entire career in Baltimore. The O’s are hoping they can re-sign him to a better deal in free-agency. But several teams, including the Cubs, will likely look to obtain his services.

Here’s the highlights from yesterday:

‘Could the Cubs be interested in Nick Markakis?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Pulling the trigger early on Kris Bryant would be pure stupidity’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Vargas, defense lead Royals to World Series’ – Kings of Kauffman

‘SF Giants take Game 4, one win away from facing KC’ – Call to the Pen

‘Giants eye clinch, but Cards turn to Waino’ – MLB.com