The 1985 American League Championship Series was played between the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays from October 8 to 16….when Major League Baseball decided to extend the Championship Series in both leagues from its best-of-five (1969 – 1984) to the current best-of-seven format starting with this year….and it proved pivotal in the outcome of the ALCS.
The Blue Jays seemingly put a stranglehold on the Series….while earning a three games to one lead over the Royals after four games…..however, Kansas City staged an improbable comeback….and won the next three games to win the American League Championship Series four games to three. The Royals would proceed to defeat their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, also in four games to three.
The odds makers favored Toronto, 8–5….when during the opening pregame show, as seen in this video herewith….when NBC Sports baseball analyst Tony Kubek was among the few who predicted a Kansas City victory….while citing the Blue Jays’ struggles against left-handed pitching….and the Royals’ plethora of left-handed starters. This prediction was especially curious considering Kubek worked on Blue Jays television broadcasts during the regular season.
