The visiting San Francisco Giants dealt the Kansas City Royals their first loss of the 2014 MLB postseason in with a 7-1 whooping in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night. In Game 2 on Wednesday night, the Royals exacted sweet revenge with a 7-2 win over the Giants.
Now, the series heads back to San Francisco for Games 3, 4 and 5. Either team can close out the series with a trio of wins; otherwise, we'll head back to Kansas City for Game 6 (and, if necessary, a final Game 7).
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Many surprises are still in store, of course. But here are three things we know about this World Series of underdogs so far.
1. The Royals can bounce back
Kansas City brought a perfect 8-0 postseason record into the World Series. Then they got demolished in Game 1. Losing Game 2 at home -- even by just a single run -- would have been catastrophic and all but doomed the Royals' hopes. Given that they had yet to feel the sting of defeat this postseason, it was legitimate to question whether they would have the confidence to bounce back in Game 2.
That question was answered in most convincing form on Wednesday night. The Royals have shown their resilience. Now, after the 7-2 result, we're faced with a new question: Can the Giants bounce back from utter demolition and find their feet again?
2. We've got ourselves a series
With Games 1 and 2 canceling out, it's a five-game series. Game 1 appeared to hint at a Giants sweep, but now we know this thing should be competitive. Just how many games we get -- could it go 7? -- remains to be, but this World Series should be fun to watch unfold.
Better yet, it's getting a little bit heated. After Omar Infante's two-run homer put the cherry on top of an explosive sixth inning for the Royals in Game 2, Giants reliever Hunter Strickland lost his cool and yelled at Royals baserunner Salvador Perez, who had burned him for a double in the game's previous at-bat. Both benches cleared and a big fight nearly broke out.
Cooler heads prevailed, but it was hard not to smile a bit at the exchange. Both the Giants and Royals are quirky, endearing, underdog teams -- so a little nastiness will lend this series a nice edge if it carries over.
3. Madison Bumgarner is a machine
If you've been following the Giants, you already know this. But if you don't know, now you know: Madison Bumgarner is the man.
The Giants' ace pitcher was dominant in Game 1, giving up just three hits in seven innings. He'll start Game 5, which likely spells trouble for the Royals.
But Bumgarner wasn't just excellent on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is simply a stone-cold killer when it comes to the postseason. His World Series stats going back to 2010: 22 innings pitched, eight hits given up, one run given up, five walks and 19 strikeouts.
Sheesh. Of course, the Royals counter with a phenomenal bullpen, so batters on both sides have plenty to worry about.
From the charming Korean Kansas City fan, to the mysterious Marlins Man, to the offensive fireworks, to Game 2's heated moment, it's been a fun World Series so far. Here's to -- fingers crossed -- five more games of postseason baseball this fall.