Baseball: Royals party like it's 1985

Kansas City Royals players celebrate beating the Baltimore Orioles to progress to the World Series. Photo / AP

Pitcher Greg Holland and the Kansas City Royals wrapped up a sweep of the American League Championship Series with a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.

The Royals will now play their first World Series since 1985, when they last made the playoffs.

"It's been an amazing run," said left fielder Alex Gordon, who made another jarring catch. "We've been playing good baseball. Today, same old story: good pitching, good defence and scratch out a win."

Outfielder Lorenzo Cain was selected most valuable player of the ALCS, batting .533 and leading an outstanding defence.

After holding the Orioles to three hits in game 3 on Wednesday, Jason Vargas and the Royals bullpen nearly turned the trick again.

Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis ushered the game to Holland, who matched Dennis Eckersley's record by saving his fourth game in the ALCS.

After Holland got JJ Hardy to ground out to third base for the final out, the Royals spilled onto the infield in a wild celebration.

Fireworks shot over the crown-shaped scoreboard in centre field, and a blue-clad sellout crowd let out a roar.

Kansas City will host the first two World Series games, starting on Tuesday.

The Royals will carry an 11-game playoff win streak into the World Series, one shy of the major league record.

That includes winning their first eight games this season, something that had never been done in postseason history.

Kansas City beat Oakland in the wild card and swept the Los Angeles Angels in the Division Series.

"We know once we have the lead, we've got the best pitching staff and the best bullpen around," said Eric Hosmer, who drove in a run. "We ain't done yet."

The Orioles, meanwhile, will limp into the offseason after their first sweep in 21 playoff series, dating back to the days when the club was called the St Louis Browns.

The St Louis Cardinals are one game from elimnation after the San Francisco Giants came back from a 1-4 deficit to win game four 6-4 and take a 3-1 series lead.