Kansas City @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 22, 2014 ) San Francisco 2, Kansas City 7

Tim Hudson pitches in a World Series game for the first time in his 16-year-career when the San Francisco Giants host the Kansas City Royals in Game 3 on Friday. The 39-year-old Hudson will attempt to pitch the Giants into the series lead after the teams split two games in Kansas City. “Obviously, when you go 16 years without having been able to experience something like this, you wonder if it’s going to happen,” Hudson told reporters. “I’m no different than anybody.”

The Royals avoided a series hole by producing a 7-2 victory in Game 2 to halt San Francisco’s streak of seven consecutive World Series wins. Kansas City designated hitter Billy Butler is 3-for-6 with two RBIs over the first two games to break out of the postseason doldrums that have him looking for his first homer. Giants catcher Buster Posey also hasn’t homered and is 2-for-9 in the World Series while red-hot third baseman Pablo Sandoval (4-for-9 in the World Series) also hasn’t gone deep despite batting .346 in the postseason.

TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (0-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Hudson (0-0, 3.29)

Guthrie is making his second start of the postseason, having received a no-decision against Baltimore on Oct. 14 when he gave up one run and three hits over five innings. He spent part of 2012 in the National League with the Colorado Rockies and has made two career starts at AT&T Park, going 0-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. “He’s a tremendous clubhouse presence and he’s a guy with a lot of experience,” Royals manager Ned Yost said in a press conference.

Hudson will be pitching for the first time since taking a no-decision against St. Louis on Oct. 14 when he allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. He lost his final four regular-season starts and Giants manager Bruce Bochy said at a press conference that Hudson’s issues were tied to a nagging hip injury. “It’s hard enough to play this game when you’re healthy but when you’re pitching and your hip’s bothering you a little – he’s a warrior,” Bochy said. “He was never complaining, he was never making excuses but it was a fact.”

WALK-OFFS

1. Sandoval has reached base in 25 consecutive postseason games, tied for third place all-time with Boog Powell and trailing only Miguel Cabrera (31) and Chase Utley (27).

2. Kansas City 2B Omar Infante’s Game 2 homer was his first in the postseason and came in his 145th playoff at-bat – only Mark Lemke (192) and Lonnie Smith (170) went longer.

3. Giants RHP Hunter Strickland has allowed five homers this October, matching Chris Narveson (2011) for the most given up in a single postseason by a reliever.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Royals 3