James Shields will start for the Royals in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, while rookie Yordano Ventura will get the ball for Game 2 on Wednesday.

Given the modern-day setup, managers often talk about an elite bullpen’s ability to shorten a game. One could argue that no bullpen has ever done that more than the 2014 Kansas City Royals.

A cutter, a sizzling four-seamer and a knee-buckling curve have made starter-turned-setup man Wade Davis one of the game’s most dominant relievers.

The Royals swept the Giants in a three game series on Aug. 8-10, but the set came during a time in which San Francisco was going through a rough stretch. Now, manager Ned Yost and his players acknowledge that the sweep is a thing of the past.

Looking for their third World Series championship in five seasons, the Giants open the World Series against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night with a roster built off past success. The 25-man roster will include nine players who took part in the Giants’ championship celebration in 2010.

What’s the best way to beat the Giants and the Royals? To find out, we asked players from across their respective divisions to give the inside intel on how these clubs can be beaten. Our sources were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor.

Two Wild Card teams enjoying improbable runs will collide when the World Series begins at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET airtime on FOX, first pitch at 8:07). Here’s a position-by-position look at what is shaping up to be a heart-pounding Fall Classic.

A look at the principals in the Giants’ victory that sealed their National League Championship Series triumph demonstrates how the franchise’s farm system has become its backbone.

Second baseman Brian Roberts is retiring, according to The Baltimore Sun. The 37-year-old Roberts spent 13 of his 14 Major League seasons with the Orioles and played his last year with the Yankees.

I looked up at the night sky, took a deep breath, toed the rubber and then nodded at the catcher, Terry Steinbach, who stood behind home plate, his glove at his chest, giving me a nice, fat target.

If the image of Dave Roberts getting his hand just under the tag in Game 4 of the ALCS remains the most indelible memory of the 2004 postseason, the best game during the epic joyride was, without question, Game 5.

Before Travis Ishikawa hooked on with the Giants earlier this summer, he spent time mulling retirement, having been set free by the Pirates. Then injuries happened, opportunities opened and Ishikawa became the Giants’ latest out-of-thin-air hero.

Outfielder Scott Schebler has come into his own as a power hitter in the last two years, slugging 27 home runs at Class A in 2013 and leading the Double-A Southern League with 28 homers this year. On Friday night, Schebler connected for his first HR in the Arizona Fall League as Glendale held off Scottsdale, 6-5.

In the third test run of the 20-second pitch clock at the Arizona Fall League, there were no violations of the time-saving measure as Peoria and Salt River played to an 11-inning, 3-3 tie Friday night. Twins prospect Eddie Rosario shined for Salt River, going 3-for-6 with two stolen bases.

Legendary scout Art Stewart has been with the Royals since 1969, so there’s not much he hasn’t seen in the game. Stewart had a front-row seat to the club’s 1985 World Series championship and is now helping the club prepare for a return trip to the Fall Classic.

The Padres announced a handful of changes to their player development staff, headed by the news that Randy Smith — a former two-time Major League general manager — will move from the position of vice president of player development to senior advisor, baseball operations, with a focus on scouting.

On his first day on the job, Rangers manager Jeff Banister met with pitching coach Mike Maddux and spoke with hitting coach Dave Magadan and bench coach Tim Bogar. It was the first step toward putting together his coaching staff.