Wednesday Links: Royals force a Game 7

With their back’s against the wall, the Kansas City Royals took care of business in convincing fashion during Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday night. The Royals offensive onslaught began early against Giants starter Jake Peavy, who only lasted an inning and a third. After the first two Kansas City batters reached base to lead off the second, Mike Moustakas opened the scoring with a two run double down the right field line. Moustakas’ double would be the first of three run scoring extra base hits in the second inning, while Nori Aoki and Lorenzo Cain also contributed with RBI singles. With a seven run cushion in hand, Royals rookie starter Yordano Ventura stymied the Giants batters over seven innings of work. While the 22-year old did issue five walks, he managed to keep San Francisco off the score board by allowing just three hits. Kansas City went on to tack on three more runs to their total, scoring individual runs in the third, fifth, and seventh. The Royals 10-0 shutout of the Giants means that we will see the first World Series Game seven since 2011.

• Madison Bumgarner is just 25-years old, but he’s already made his mark in World Series history. The San Francisco left-hander has yet to lose a World Series start in four tries, and has surrendered just one run in thirty-one innings pitcher. Bumgarner’s early but stellar World Series career ranks him seventh all-time, brushing shoulders with names like Sandy Koufax and Mariano Rivera. (Madison Bumgarner, the seventh-best World Series pitcher ever)

• While early speculation has linked the Red Sox to soon-to-be free agent Pablo Sandoval, it’s hardly a foregone conclusion that he’s the best fit for third base in Boston. Joining Sandoval on the short list of potential third base targets for the Red Sox, is the left-handed hitting Chase Headley. After spending most of his career in the canyon that is PetCo Park in San Diego, Headley held respectable offensive numbers. While injuries perhaps contributed to his recent under performance, the 30-year old revived his offense upon being traded to New York last season. (Headley might be more attractive target than Sandoval for Red Sox)

• While Christian Vazquez has shown a lot of promise behind the plate during his brief Red Sox career, the 24-year old is hardly the best catcher in Boston’s system. Baseball America recently ranked 22-year old catcher Blake Swihart as the best prospect in the Red Sox system, beating out the likes of Henry Owens and Rusney Castillo. Swihart, a switch-hitter, has shown the ability to consistently drive the ball, and has displayed above-average ability behind the dish. (Blake Swihart tops Baseball America’s list of top 10 Red Sox prospects)

• With free agency looming for Koji Uehara, the Red Sox have reportedly begun contract negotiations with the right-hander. While the team could offer him a qualifying offer, the 39-year old’s struggle’s towards the middle and end of 2014 make it tough for Boston to commit the necessary $15.3M. Still, the Red Sox feel encouraged that they will get a deal done with their closer at some point this offseason. (Red Sox talking to Koji Uehara; qualifying offer unlikely)

• While it seems like the Red Sox will try and retain Koji Uehara for the 2015 season, his fellow countryman Junichi Tazawa seems like a logical heir apparent if the 39-year old falters. For the past three seasons, the 28-year old has solidified the eighth inning role, and has tossed at least 65 innings over the past two seasons. (Stock watch: Junichi Tazawa owns the eighth inning; will Red Sox try him in the ninth)

• Tweet of the day: Same.