So it's come to this... team batting average vs. 95+ mph pitches.
Giants haven't faced Ventura, but they know their fastballs
 Scott Boeck, USA TODAY Sports 7:15 p.m. EDT October 22, 2014
The Kansas City Royals are counting on rookie flamethrower Yordano Ventura to even up the World Series against the San Francisco Giants in Game 2.
Ventura, 23, has an average fastball fo 96 mph, sometimes hitting 100 mph and complements it with a devastating curveball and changeup.
But the Giants may be better equipped to handle his repertoire than any team.
They've faced power pitchers all season and have been very successful against them. As a club, the their offense led the majors with a .284 batting average vs. 95+ mph pitches, including the playoffs.
Just in the postseason, the Giants are hitting .377 on pitches of 95 mph or more, striking out only six times in 68 plate appearances, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
So even though the Giants have never faced Ventura - and in fact nobody on their roster has faced him - doesn't mean they're not capable of beating him.
Ventura, who is the first Royals rookie to start a World Series game at any position, is opposed by Jake Peavy. That's a welcoming sight for the Royals offense. The Royals starting lineup has hit a combined .313 with seven home runs and a .510 slugging percentage against Peavy in 147 at-bats.
For the Royals, it's almost a must-win. Nearly 80% of teams that take a 2-0 lead go on to win the World Series.
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