The Skillz Report

Here, in Part 7 of our 2014 MLB Postseason retrospective, we'll revisit the American League Championship Series (KC/BAL).

Dyson's Overslide, Game 1

KC's Jarrod Dyson, pinch-running for Nori Aoki with 0 out in the 7th, broke for second on a 1-2 Kevin Gausman pitch (to Lorenzo Cain). O's 2B Jonathan Schoop received the throw and slapped a firm on Dyson's leg. Whether Dyson overslid the base or was slyly "guided" off by Schoop, he wound up losing contact with second base. Schoop's glove did not lose contact with Dyson's person; despite a mild protest, he was called out.

De Aza's Mega-Bloop, Game 1

Once the two runners moved up, no more bunt—Alejandro De Aza swung away at KC reliever Brandon Finnegan's next pitch, a 93-mph fastball on the inner half. The ball fluttered up and died between the mound and second base—just ahead of Alcides Escobar's dive—allowing Schoop to score. Many batters could out-sneeze this game-tying flare, but it's as good as a liner in the box score.

Gordon Drilled In Neck, Game 1

KC LF Alex Gordon led off the 8th against O's reliever Andrew Miller. On the third pitch of his AB, a 94-MPH heater got away from Miller, glancing off Gordon's shoulder and crashing hard into the side of his unprotected neck. Though left with a sizable bruise, the tough Gordon—among the 2014 league leaders in plunkings—wasn't about to exit the game as long as his head was still attached. (He'd be stranded, however.)

Hundley Gets BIG Out, Game 1

O's closer Zack Britton could not find the plate upon the 9th inning of a 5-5 game. He walked the bags full, then went 3-2 on KC's Eric Hosmer before inducing a grounder to 1B Steve Pearce. Many 1B's would reflexively step on first but Pearce had his head in the game. Avoiding the nearby bag—thus preserving the force—Pearce threw home, where C Nick Hundley backhanded the short-hop while staying on the plate for the out! A double-play grounder got Britton safely across the tightrope.

Gordon's Clutch Bomb, Game 1

Gordon's vacillation of a Game 1 included driving home three of five KC runs—as well as being picked off and drilled in the neck. With that kind of personal luck coupled with his team's pattern of late-inning heroics, Gordon seemed fated to hit one out...and trip rounding the bases. Facing sidewinding Darren O'Day in the 10th inning of a 5-5 game, the big left fielder unloaded on a 1-1 fastball, skying it high through the raindrops and out of Camden Yards—and staying upright as he scored.

Bud Norris Makes The Play, Game 2

On the fourth pitch of Game 2, KC leadoff man Escobar lined an outside fastball right back at pitcher Bud Norris. The O's righty snared the liner and underhanded the ball toward an obviously unoccupied first base, looking to "try and double up the runner on first base" according to Fox color man Tom Verducci. For the first time ever, a FOX baseball announcer made me laugh.

Ho-Hum, Another Cain Play, Game 2

The Crowns and Birds found themselves locked in another tense affair, playing to a 4-all tie in the 6th inning of Game 2. Facing Yordany Ventura, Baltimore's J.J. Hardy led off that frame with a drive to right-center. CF Lorenzo Cain sprinted to his left, aired out, and snared the baseball as he belly-flopped along the grass. For most, a spectacular catch. For Cain—who came to a stop in almost-straightaway RF—just business as usual.

Herrera Misses The Bag, Game 2

Gaffes like these can prove fatal in close games. Fortunately for Royals RP Kelvim Herrera, the baseball gods—and his nasty stuff—spared him. Markakis led off the O's 7th with a 2-2 grounder to the right side, scooped by Hosmer and tossed to Herrera covering first. Easy play...if Herrera hadn't missed the bag! There was no slip, no offline throw—Herrera simply ran past first base. Rather than crumble, the young reliever stranded Markakis to preserve the 4-4 tie.

Escobar's Go-Ahead Hit, Game 2

The first 17 ALCS innings featured a steady diet of Escobar, offensively and defensively. He found himself front-and-center once again in #18—a.k.a. the 9th inning of Game 2. With the score knotted at 4 and Terrence Gore on second, Escobar smacked a 97-mph Britton fastball down the RF line, plating Gore with the go-ahead run. Escobar himself scored the 6th Royals run two batters later.

Dyson's Candid Honesty

Once the Royals went up 2-0 on the Orioles, the ever-confident Dyson made waves when he told reporters KC would end the ALCS without returning to Baltimore. O's fans rankled their feathers, but Dyson's words soon proved prophetic.

Rainout! Game 3

Kansas City's Game 3 weather forecast read like this: "Heavy rain. All night. Not exaggerating. No sun. You will get wet." It rang true—Game 3's postponement caused Game 4 fuss. Obviously, Game 3's starters (Jeremy Guthrie of KC, Wei-Ling Chen of the O's) wouldn't change. But with the extra off-day, Game 1 starters James Shields (KC) and Chris Tillman (BAL) could pitch Game 4 on regular rest. Ultimately, neither team adjusted their rotation.

That Moose Is Upside-Down! Game 3

Moustakas' bat wowed in the Royals' first six postseason games; tonight his glove stole the show. In the 6th inning of a tied (1-1) Game 3, Baltimore's Adam Jones lofted a foul popup off KC's Jason Frasor. Moose drifted....and drifted...and drifted...until reaching the edge of the dugout suites. Elevating a leg on the rail, he backhanded the ball before tumbling heels-over-head—but held on to the baseball! 40,000+ fans roared in approval.

Schoop Erases Escobar, Game 3

In the baseball equivalent of finding $5 and dropping it in the gutter, Escobar—facing Chen in the 5th—tapped one up the third-base line. A charging Chen whipped a throw that would have beaten Escobar, but it was wide. All was forgiven when the ball caromed right to Schoop near the foul line; he easily retired Escobar greedily charging for second.

Holland's Fast Wrap - Game 3

Baseball has long dealt with pace-of-game issues. In the 9th inning of Game 3, Greg Holland did his part to quicken things. The Royals closer retired three capable Oriole hitters on six total pitches—Jones (1st-pitch popout), Cruz (1-1 foulout) and Pearce (0-1 groundout) in preserving the Royals' 2-1 win. At least Baltimore wasn't listless in falling behind 3-0 in the series.

Aoki Sent Sprawling, Game 4

Aoki showed his athleticism repeatedly this postseason—but not quite like this. Facing O's starter Miguel Gonzalez in the bottom of the 1st with one on/out, Aoki was forced to go airborne in an attempt to dodge a heat-seeker toward his knee. The ball caught him above the knee and he was able to take his base. That would not have happened without the sprawl.

Royals Take The Lead, Game 4

Little did anyone know that Aoki's drilling would end up putting KC in the World Series. That HBP moved Escobar up to second; Cain bunted both men over, bringing up Hosmer. On an 0-1 count, he grounded to 1B Pearce, who came home. Escobar's slide kicked the ball out of Caleb Joseph's glove all the way to the Royals on-deck circle! With Joseph pursuing the ball and Gonzalez off to cover first, Aoki trotted across the uncovered plate. Like that, KC led 2-0.

Flaherty Slices The Lead, Game 4

Leading off the third against Royals SP Jason Vargas, O's 3B Ryan Flaherty unloaded on an 1-0 fastball—hooking it just inside the RF foul pole and cutting KC's 2-0 lead in half. Surprising for Vargas, who only allowed two homers in 183 AB to lefties in 2014. Less surprising for Flaherty, who smoked three of his seven 2014 roundtrippers—and his final one of 2013—off southpaws.

Lorenzo Cain Who?, Game 4

With a 1-2 count, J.J. Hardy led off the 5th with a drive to deep left field—Gordon's territory. The four-time Gold Glover put his skillz on display when he left his feet to snag the baseball on the warning track—just before slamming HARD against what's normally the out-of-town scoreboard. Sprawled on his back, Gordon held up the ball for confirmation of the catch, proving Cain isn't the only Royal capable of spectacular outfield D. To think Gordon started out as a third baseman!