Tonight at 8:07 p.m. ET the Kansas City Royals will kick off the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles on TBS in Game 1 action that can be live streamed free by clicking this link. Royals fans can listen to the game on KCSP 610, while Orioles fans may catch the radio broadcast on 1090 WBAL. The Royals will send "Big Game" James Shields to the hill against Chris Tillman.
The Orioles have made their bones in 2014 by crushing homers, and even though they're missing last year's AL home run leader Chris Davis because of a suspension, they remain the premier slugging team left in the postseason. Nelson Cruz led the AL this year with 40 bombs, and hit two in the ALDS while batting .500.
The Royals, on the other hand, do their damage on the basepaths. Designated hitter Billy Butler said they'll try to kill Baltimore with speed.
"Speed. That's what we do," Butler said. "Obviously you have to be smart about it, but we're a very aggressive team. When our speed guys get on they like to go. That's what got us to this point -- that, and pitching and defense."
Kansas City swiped seven bags in a thrilling wildcard victory over the Oakland Athletics, and had their fair share of success vs. Detroit. Another asset the Royals possess is the ability to limit opponents' home runs. They surrendered the third-fewest taters in the AL this season, bad news for an Orioles team rather reliant on the long ball.
"Obviously, we'll be asked to keep the Orioles in check in terms of their power and the big inning," former Oriole and current Royal Jeremy Guthrie said.
"On the flip side, the Orioles pitchers will be asked to try and keep our guys off base and not allow us to string together a couple of hits to get us runs."
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