BALTIMORE - Speed versus Power.The surprising Kansas City Royals and unflappable Baltimore Orioles are extremely similar with one significant exception: the fashion in which they score runs. The team that best utilizes its standard method of offence will likely win the best-of-seven AL Championship Series, which begins Friday night.Get ready for small ball versus long ball.Back in April, few could have predicted these two teams would be the last standing in the American League. But the fashion in which they got here — with stunningly easy sweeps in the Division Series — makes this matchup intriguing.Even more interesting is their contrasting styles.The Royals love to take an extra base, whether its turning a single into a double or stealing their way into scoring position. Kansas City led the majors with 153 stolen bases during the regular season then, with blazing-fast rookie Terrance Gore, added seven in a wild-card win over Oakland and five more in a three-game wipeout of the top-seeded Los Angeles Angels.Speed. Thats what we do, designated hitter Billy Butler said. Obviously you have to be smart about it, but were a very aggressive team. When our speed guys get on they like to go. Thats what got us to this point — that, and pitching and defence.The Orioles, like the Royals, feature a solid starting rotation, an effective bullpen and strong defence. But Baltimore prefers to take a more leisurely trip around the bases.Although Baltimore finished dead last in the majors with 44 stolen bases, it led the majors with 211 home runs. Nelson Cruz had 40 of them, only 55 fewer than the Royals hit while finishing last in the big leagues as the only team that didnt hit 100.And so, the lines are drawn. Whichever pitching staff can stifle the oppositions preferred method of offence will likely be working in the World Series.Obviously, well be asked to keep the Orioles in check in terms of their power and the big inning, said Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, who pitched for Baltimore from 2007-11. On the flip side, the Orioles pitchers will be asked to try and keep our guys off base and not allow us to string together a couple of hits to get us runs.Its really that simple.The best way to keep them from stealing is to keep them off the bases. Thats our first goal, Baltimore reliever Tommy Hunter said. Im not too worried about it. You know theyre fast, you know they run. Hopefully they run into outs.That doesnt mean Kansas City cant go deep, or the Orioles are unable to run. Its just that each team has adopted the style best suited for its own stadium.The Royals can hit home runs. They just play in a big ballpark, Baltimore centre fielder Adam Jones said. Theyve got guys who can drive the ball, and weve also got guys who can run. In our ballpark it brings a different dynamic because its smaller, in their ballpark, it brings a different dynamic because its bigger. But weve got some hairy guys on our team. If were hitting in the Grand Canyon, we can still put em out.Cruz homered in the Orioles clinching win over Detroit on Sunday, and just a few hours later Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas each contributed a two-run shot in the Royals 8-3 win over L.A.Home runs are definitely a difference-maker in the game, Butler said. Thats what weve done in the playoffs. Weve had home runs win games, but that hasnt been the way we won games throughout the season. Still, theyre good to have when you get them.The pitching matchup Friday pits Kansas Citys James Shields against right-hander Chris Tillman. Shields is 11-7 lifetime against Baltimore, including 2-0 this season.Shields chose not to explain his success against the Orioles except to say, Its one of those things, I guess. I feel like I can pitch good against any team on any given day.Kansas City hasnt reached the World Series since 1985, and Baltimores dry spell runs from 1983. After wearing the underdog label in their last series, this one looks to be a tossup.I think its two great baseball teams going up against each other, Moustakas said. It doesnt really matter whos favoured or who is not.Hosmer said, Both ballclubs are ready, both ballclubs know the strength of their team and both ballclubs have done a good job of sticking to those strengths.The rosters are not required to be submitted until Friday, but Orioles manager Buck Showalter said his 25-man list would not include slugger Chris Davis, who is serving a 25-game suspension for amphetamine use and would not be eligible until Game 6. Maurice Harkless Jersey . A player confirmed to TSN on the condition of anonymity that he received his ballot yesterday. Another confirms hes been told to expect his shortly. "The unions executive committee insists a strike vote does not mean were pushing away from the table," the player said. "But we want the league to know were serious about our position. Louis Williams Jersey . The teams were scoreless for most of the first two periods before Canada scored three times in a span of less than four minutes. Sarah Potomak opened the scoring on the power play. https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/Angel...Edition-Jersey/. Doug Fister allowed two runs over seven innings and Washington hit three solo homers in a 6-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Ivica Zubac Clippers Jersey . MacArthur scored two goals, and the Senators outlasted Detroit in a testy third period to beat the Red Wings 4-2 on Saturday night. Montrezl Harrell Jersey . Smith, who raised eyebrows at the CFL combine in March with his ability on both sides of the ball, confirmed in a statement he tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol prior to auditioning for league officials.Head coach Dan Ryan hopes to commit his future to Manchester Thunder for years to come after guiding his team to a Grand Final in his first season in charge. The Australian left his role as assistant coach with Adelaide Thunderbirds to take charge of Thunder and has steered his side to Saturdays title decider against reigning champions Surrey Storm at the Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports.Ryan paid tribute to his players and coaching staff for their role in a successful season, which saw them finish top of the Vitality Netball Superleague with just one defeat, and wants to complete a dream ending. Defending champions Surrey Storm will meet Manchester Thunder in the Vitality Superleague Grand Final after Saturdays semi-finals It will be a dream come true to be honest, Ryan told Sky Sports.Its been an unbelievable life experience, coming here to England, and head coaching Manchester Thunder. Ive been embraced by the players, the franchise, the fans from the very start. I think Ive got unfinished business here at Thunder and would like to really be a part of this culture for the years to come. Dan Ryan On a personal level, Ive sacrificed a lot to come here, moving over the other side of the world. I wouldnt change it for anything. To wrap up my season with this great group of players and these wonderful people would be just the ultimate, and hopefully we can finish off what we started at the weekend.I think Ive got unfinished business here at Thunder and would like to really be a part of this culture for years to come. I just think we are starting to scratch the surface of what we can do as a franchise and hopefully we can start off our relationship together with the Premiership and see where we go from there.dddddddddddd Reaction from both camps after Manchester Thunder beat Team Bath in the semi-finals Vitality Netball International Series: England v Jamaica Tickets will be available at 10am on Friday 6th May via Sky Tickets Second-placed Storm are returning to the same sold-out venue where they took the trophy just over 12 months ago, but Ryan does not believe Surrey will have a psychological edge.I think it perhaps puts a little bit more pressure on them to retain their title to be honest, he said. Its always hard when youre defending stuff and were super keen to go there and steal the title off them, so I think in that regard its going to be a great contest. Storm defeated Hertfordshire Mavericks in last years Grand Final They had a really tough semi-final and really proved their worth to jump into the final, when they themselves I dont think thought they would make it this far. But theyve done fantastic job to get to this point of the competition.I just think its going to be a great showdown of two classy teams. Whoever wants it more will come out on top. Watch Saturdays Grand Final between Manchester Thunder and Surrey Storm from 4.30pm on Sky Sports 5. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Sky Live: Superleague Grand Final Taumaunu to take England role WATCH: Housbys magic moment Vote for Player of the season ' ' '