Royals And Giants Slug It Out In Baseball's World Series

On Tuesday, Kansas City Royals take on the San Francisco Giants in the first game of baseball's biggest showdown. While the Royals hope to win their first title in 29 years, the Giants are on the brink of making history.



Having waited nearly three decades to reach the Major League playoffs, the Kansas City Royals are threatening to make an unbeaten post-season run to the World Series title. The Royals, who last won the best-of-seven final in 1985, have become the first major league team to start the playoffs 8-0, a record that only adds to the thrill of their long-suffering supporters.



But blocking the Royals' path to a fairytale championship season are the San Francisco Giants, who are seeking their third crown in five seasons as the 110th World Series begins Tuesday in Kansas City.



"This city has been waiting for this for a long time and the fact we're doing it in the fashion we are is tremendous," said Royals pitcher James Shields. "It's definitely a special moment for us."



"The roll that we're on right now and the confidence and character we have in our clubhouse is going to take us a long way," added Shields.



With aggressive base running that saw them lead the league in steals and spectacular diving grabs for outs, the Royals beat the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles to reach the finals.



Royals coach Ned Yost sees the test posed by the Giants as little different from what the team has already faced in the playoffs.



"They are all big games," said Yost, who grew up a Giants fan. "But this is the last big series and there are two teams standing, which is special. It's a great match-up."



Giants the traditional favorites



Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants are hoping to become the first team since the Yankees (who captured four titles at the end of the 1990s) to win three World Series titles in five years.



The chance to match that record is a source of satisfaction for San Francisco coach Bruce Bochy.



"You understand how difficult this is," Bochy said. "I was amazed at the Yankees, at what they accomplished, so it's very satisfying when you get in a situation where you have a chance."



"I'm amazed at these guys," he added. "It's a tough road, they have amazed me."



Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner is also surprised that his team, which went without a World Series win from 1954 to 2010, could put itself in a position to match the Yankees' achievement.



"That's a huge accomplishment," Bumgarner said. "It would definitely be a very special thing to be a part of. No matter what happens, it has been a pretty special run."



al/jh (AFP, Reuters)