Morning Marquee: Royals one win away from World Series

The Kansas City Royals continue to use the same formula, and it keeps producing wins. Mike Moustakas made two highlight reel grabs, and the bullpen was once again solid as the Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles to take a 3-0 lead in the ALCS.

The Royals were able to scratch across a few timely runs against Wei-Yin Chen in the 2-1 victory. Billy Butler‘s sacrifice fly in the sixth would be enough as once again the bullpen was solid, holding the O’s hitless for four frames. The Royals will go for the sweep tonight as the Royals Jason Vargas goes against the O’s Miguel Gonzalez.

The St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants decided to pay an extra-frame again, this time the Giants prevailing on an error to take a 2-1 lead in the NLCS.

Gregor Blanco laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt in the 10th, but Cardinals reliever Randy Choate made it more perfect for the Giants. Choate’s throw sailed wide of the mark, and Brandon Crawford was able to score from second as the Giants took the lead in the series.

John Lackey allowed four runs in the first, but then he and the Cardinals bullpen retired 25 of 27 batters. Meanwhile the Cardinals were carving away at the Giants lead. Bit much like in 2010 and 2012, there’s that little bit of fight in this Giants team that’s hard to explain, impossible to deny.

As Mike Moustakas reached over the railing to make a catch in the ALCS game last night, Chicago Cubs’ fans couldn’t help but remember the infamous ‘Bartman game’. It was the 11th anniversary of the well-known play. Some pointed out how Royals fans didn’t interfere with Moustakas as he went to make the catch, and that’s how Cubs fans should have been. There’s been plenty of time to reflect on that play. I can promise you not a hand would be out on a foul ball at Wrigley in October.

Here is what you need to know at a glance:

‘The Kansas City Royals are One Step away from the World Series’ – Kings of Kauffman

‘Blanco’s bunt leads Giants to win over Cardinals’ – Around the Foghorn

‘Andrew Friedman to join Dodgers at helm of front office’ – Call to the Pen

‘Five outs from history, the hand Steve Bartman played’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Royals in elite company with seven-game win streak’  – MLB.com