The San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals are in the World Series. What to make of it?

This marks the first time two wild-card teams have reached the Series since Major League Baseball went to its new playoff format in 2012.

The 2002 World Series also featured two wild-card teams – the Giants and Angels. But that was when wild-card teams were assured of playing a best-of-five series against a division winner during the playoffs.

Now, two wild-card teams in each league reach the postseason, but with second-class status. After 162 games, the wild-card teams must play a winner-take-all game to decide who joins the division winners.

The Giants and Royals have proven two truths: The key is to simply reach the playoffs, and it helps to get hot at the right time.

Both teams, like the 2013 Red Sox, find ways to win. The Giants went six straight playoff games without a home run but won four of them, then hit three homers to eliminate the Cardinals on Thursday night.

Kansas City seemingly manufactures runs when it needs them. The Royals ranked ninth in the American League in runs but they were fifth in batting average with runners in scoring position (the Giants were third in the National League with RISP).

Both teams have an ace – James Shields (Royals) and Madison Bumgarner (Giants).

But before Red Sox fans believe the arrival of Shields (or Jon Lester) via free agency is the key to success in 2015, they may want to think about another free agent: Andrew Miller.

Miller’s return to the Red Sox could mean a lot for Boston’s bullpen. And if you want to know how important relievers are, look at San Francisco and Kansas City. They feature bullpens with the lowest ERAs in the postseason – the Giants’ 1.78 and the Royals’ 1.80.

Neither of these teams was dominant in 2014 and it shows in their records: 88-74 (Giants) and 89-73 (Royals). It’s the first time two teams with fewer than 90 wins have reached the Series – not counting seasons shortened by strike (1981) or war (1918).

But who needs 90 wins if you still make the playoffs and then get hot?

WITH THE emphasis on the Royals’ defense, it again makes you realize the value of Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. His bat may not be ready for the major leagues – as his .198 average demonstrated – but Boston would be silly to give up on him. A year of refining his swing in Pawtucket and the Red Sox may have an anchor in the outfield for several years.

THE RED SOX are looking for a hitting coach and Sea Dogs batting mentor Rich Gedman is in the mix. Gedman, who played for the Red Sox from 1980 to 1990, is one of a handful of candidates reported by the media. The group includes former Red Sox batting champ Bill Mueller, who just left the same position with the Cubs; Red Sox minor league roving instructor Tim Hyers; Angels rover Paul Sorrento; recently fired Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long; former Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan; and A’s hitting coach Chili Davis, who was Pawtucket’s hitting coach in 2011.

Gedman, 55, has been Portland’s hitting coach for two years. Many Sea Dogs credited Gedman for their improvement, including shortstop Deven Marrero, who went from a .256 average in Class A to .291 with Portland.

SEVERAL SEA DOGS were included in Baseball America’s recent ranking of the top 20 prospects in the Eastern League, including five among the top nine.

Mookie Betts was ranked No. 2. He batted .355 for the Sea Dogs with a .994 OPS before moving up, first to Pawtucket, then to Boston.

The other Sea Dogs on the list were pitcher Henry Owens (No. 6); pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (No. 7), who was acquired from the Orioles in the Miller deal; catcher Blake Swihart (No. 8); pitcher Brian Johnson (No. 9); and Marrero (No. 19).

Who will be the next big prospect to play at Hadlock? Good question. In the advanced Class A Carolina League, no Red Sox players from Salem were named to Baseball America’s Top 20.

In the regular Class A South Atlantic League, outfield prospect Manuel Margot of Greenville was ranked No. 9 and second baseman Wendell Rijo was No. 17.

Margot, who turned 20 last month, might make it to Portland by the end of next season. He batted .286 (.803 OPS) in 99 games for Greenville, then played 16 games for Salem (.340/.924).

After Margot, the next much-anticipated prospect could be third baseman Rafael Devers, who was ranked No. 1 in the Gulf Coast League. Devers, who turns 18 this week, was promoted from the Dominican Summer League and batted .374/.858 in 42 GCL games.

THE ARIZONA Fall League features Marrero among other Red Sox prospects on the Surprise Saguaros. A week into the season, outfielder Rusney Castillo leads Boston’s prospects (.360/.887 in five games). Second baseman Sean Coyle is hitting .357/1.071 in four games, and Marrero is batting .235/.616 in five games.

Keith Couch has made two starts (nine innings, 2.00 ERA). Aaron Kurcz has not allowed a hit or a run in three appearances (three innings). Robby Scott (2.25 ERA) and Madison Younginer (3.00) have also made three relief appearances.

Copy the Story Link