MLB's World Series: San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals prepare for all-wildcard World Series

For just the second time since 1995 - when the post-season format was changed - have two wildcards ended up playing off for the championship, with the Giants losing to the then-Anaheim Angels (now Los Angeles) in 2002 the first time.

However, the Royals are arguably the greater of the two underdogs - their run to October being their first since 1985, when they last won the World Series.

The Giants, conversely, are aiming for a third win in the Fall Classic in five years, after wins in 2010 and 2012.

San Francisco's wealth of experience on the biggest stage in baseball bodes well for them, although the Royals have an edge of their own with home advantage in the best-of-seven series.

Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval - who has gotten on base at least once in San Francisco's last 23 play-off fixtures - has been a key part of their championship-winning seasons of recent years, and he said he remains relaxed on the verge of yet another title.

"It's exciting," Sandoval said.
"You win or you go home. That's what we try to do every single day this time [of year], not get too excited in situations. You want to win games.

"So I think this is one of those things I've got on my mind right now, get a good pitch on the plate, have fun no matter what the situation is, what the score is, what the type of game you play is. Just have fun out there."

The Royals are unbeaten this post-season - going 8-0 - and their American League Championship Series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles gave them five clear days of rest before Tuesday's World Series opener.

Former Royals player and current Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he believes Kansas City's longer layoff - compared to the Giants' four days - before the World Series will be a benefit, as will home advantage.

Hurdle was in charge of the Colorado Rockies in 2007, who had an eight-day gap between winning the National League Championship Series to the World Series - and were swept in the decider by the red-hot Boston Red Sox.

"Time will tell but I do think that's an advantage," Hurdle said.

"It's nice to get to stay at home. It's a much different factor. You get to work out at home, in familiar surroundings, then you're back at work in front of your crowd.

On the Royals' break, Hurdle added: "And they've both been off a while. At eight days, we [the Rockies] had way more than the Red Sox.

"Once we got to Boston, we ran into a really good team that was really hot, and they stayed on a roll."

In the two sides' only regular-season series this year, the Royals swept the Giants at Kauffman Stadium - winning 4-2, 5-0 and 7-4 in August.

The Royals will host game one and two of the series, before games three to five are scheduled for the Giants' AT T Park.

If required, Kansas City will host again for games six and seven.