The Skillz Report

Here, in Part 5 of our 2014 MLB Postseason retrospective, we'll revisit the American League Division Series (KC/LA). We really did try to find Angel highlights...there really weren't any worthy of mention.

Lorenzo Cain's Catches, Game 1

The Royals did it all year with speed and defense...why mess with what's working? Cain set the tone from the very first KC pitch when Angels OF Kole Calhoun took P Jason Vargas deep to right center. Cain went back, leaped, and pulled a likely triple out of the sky! Proving his versatility, he charged in, slid and stole a hit from Angels SS Erick Aybar to close the 2nd. As the ad on the wall he hit while robbing Calhoun read, you can "Count On" Cain.

Nori Aoki's Catches, Game 1

Even when Cain couldn't make the play, his RF could. In the 6th, with two on, two out and a 2-2 tie, Angels 2B Howie Kendrick drove a Vargas pitch deep toward the RCF wall. CF Cain leapt and came up empty—but Aoki deftly backed him up and snagged the ball himself! One inning later, with two out and the go-ahead run on 3rd, Angels DH Chris Cron smacked a 97-MPH Wade Davis heater to right. Aoki backpedaled, broke left, and laid out for the tie-preserving catch! Neither was pretty—didn't matter.

Moose's Winning Homer, Game 1

Mike Moustakas, once hailed as a franchise cornerstone, endured a setback in '14 when he was demoted to AAA batting .152. Upon recall, Moose's bat did improve—how could it not?—but he remained a wild card entering October. For at least one dramatic 11th-inning AB, the young 3B was all KC needed and more. Facing Angels RP Fernando Salas in a 2-2 game, he drilled a 1-1 changeup (or weak heater) deep into the Anaheim night, giving KC a one-run lead that closer Greg Holland preserved.

Cowgill Gunned By Dyson, Game 2

With the score knotted at 1 in the 8th, Cron led off with a double off Davis; reserve OF Collin Cowgill pinch-ran for him, . The next batter, C Chris Iannetta, flied out to Royals CF Jarrod Dyson—also newly inserted into the game. Unwisely, Cowgill tested Dyson's arm and was erased at third in a crucial situation (Moustakas is pictured applying the tag).

Hosmer's Winning Blast, Game 2

Anything Moustakas can do, Royals 1B Eric Hosmer can do...equally. With one on, one out, and the score tied 1-1 in the 11th, Hosmer dug in against LA reliever Kevin Jepsen. The 24-year-old drilled a first-pitch fastball into the unincorporated area beyond the RF fence, putting KC ahead to stay. Hosmer—who posted a career-low RBI total in '14—has never driven in two more important runs.

Gordon's Double KO's Wilson, Game 3

When LA signed ex-Ranger CJ Wilson to a $77M contract, they did not envision him getting knocked out in the 1st inning of an elimination game. But that's precisely what went down courtesy of Royals OF Alex Gordon. Wilson took the mound already up 1-0 (HR by Mike Trout), but was down 3-1 and out of the game six batters later. Following two singles and a walk, Gordon smoked a 2-2 pitch off the LCF wall. All three runners came home, and the $77M man hit the showers having recorded all of two outs.

Cain's Catches, Game 3

Remember when rumors spread about Kobe Bryant manipulating games to set himself up for 4th quarter heroics? After these grabs, one must wonder if Kansas City's center fielder is deliberately playing out of position in an effort to upstage himself. With two on, one out and KC up 7-2 in the 5th, Cain dazzled back-to-back—charging left and sprawling to rob Albert Pujols, then charging in and sliding to deny Kendrick!

Billy Butler Steals A Base? Game 3

No one will ever confuse him with Billy Hamilton, or Brett Butler. Yet when the longtime KC DH/1B realized he was not being held on the bag after his 3rd-inning walk (by Hector Santiago), he broke for 2nd—and beat Iannetta's throw fair and square! So pumped was Butler, he "revved the engine" in the popular style of teammate Dyson. (Note: the big guy has five career steals in almost 1,170 career games.)

Omar Infante Barehand, Game 3

Once Holland entered in the 9th, even TV viewers felt the intensity. Throughout the night, KC displayed increasing emotion, a fire never matched by Los Angeles—it was clear KC was simply hungrier and craved victory more. A 9th-inning play stood out—Calhoun bounced one off Holland to 2B Infante, who's been around the block a time or two. Infante, with more than a little macho, unnecessarily barehanded the ball and made the play. The message was clear: "Don't F--- With Us. This Is OUR Time."

Angels' Stars Neutralized

Collectively guaranteed over $434M between them in the years to come, Trout, Pujols and Josh Hamilton (pictured left to right) carried huge expectations—and delivered on practically none of them. The high-priced trio combined to go 3-for-37 vs. KC—with zero hits from the rusty Hamilton. (An optimist would take solace in two of the hits being homers.)