Back to Back ALCS Championships

     Well, the Kansas City Royals have done it again and despite my prediction, they were able to beat the Toronto Blue Jays with their slightly above average pitching performances. The Royals were able to do what they do best and string hits together forcing in runs to push the Blue Jays pitching to the edge. On top of the Royals rally hitting, they also looked for their strong, talented, defense and their shutdown bullpen despite the loss of Greg Holland. Jumping off with two home wins and heading into Toronto with a commanding lead was very crucial. The Blue Jays were an incredible 53-28 at home this year, due to the simple fact that the Rogers Center is a home run hitting park and the Blue Jays are a homer hitting team. The Jays combined for a total of 123 home runs in the Rogers Center during the regular season and 109 home runs in away ball fields. This shows that if the Royals wanted to beat the Jays in Toronto, they would have to rely on their bats more than their pitching.
     The Royals did what they needed to do and outscored the Blue Jays, 38 to 26 and out hit them as well with 59 hits versus the Blue Jays 46 hits. The Royals eventually won the ALCS in six games, clinching their World Series berth at home on Friday night after a very close 4-3 win with a controversial home run by Mike Moustakas, where a fan appeared to have leaned over the railing and caught the ball. Despite the Blue Jays challenging the call on the field, it was still ruled a home run. The game wasn't over there because Jose Bautista tied the game at 3-3 with his second homer of the game. The Royals scored in the bottom of the 8th as Lorenzo Cain scored from first on a double by Eric Hosmer to make it a 4-3 game. After an hour long rain delay Wade Davis came onto the mound gave up a lead-off hit and then a walk. With runners on second and third Davis struck out two and then finished the Blue Jays off after Josh Donaldson rolled a ground ball to Mike Moustakas to end the game, clinching their back to back ALCS Championships and going to the World Series once again.