Notes from TBS Exclusive Coverage of the ALCS, Game 2 – Royals vs. Orioles – Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014

Martinez on the versatility of the Royals: “This is a team that is very dangerous. Kansas City can play any kind of game they choose. They can play small ball, play defense, play with speed…anything. They can adjust to any kind of game…pick your poison.”

Sheffield on the Royals’ speed on the bases: “No matter what they do, they let you know that they’re going to steal bases. They don’t care who’s the pitcher or how quick you are to home. If they’re hitting, their main objective is getting to second base and then get the timely hit. If they can’t get to second base [with a double], they’ll steal second base. They’ve been doing it all series long; they’ll tell you about it and they’ll continue to do it.”

Sheffield on the defensive strength of the Royals: “This might be one of the best defensive teams I’ve ever seen.”

Martinez on Royals catcher Salvador Perez: “This kid has a bright future. He’s a smart kid and can guide the whole staff by himself. He deserves credit for Kansas City’s success.”

Sheffield on Orioles lead-off hitter Nick Markakis: “He’s going to turn out to be one of the best lead-off hitters in the game. They did a smart thing by taking him out of that third spot where he felt like he had to hit home runs and drive in runs. In the lead-off spot he can settle in and set the table. He likes to set up pitchers, drive the ball when he is ahead in the count and be the difference maker.”

Martinez on Markakis: “He’s the complete package. He can play defense, throw, run and hit with power. He’s very underrated and is the one that will bring all of the energy to the Baltimore Orioles today.”

Darling on Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura : “This kid has unbelievable confidence in himself and, of course, his stuff. You know a pitcher has a good fastball when you’re an accomplished hitter, you know the fastball is coming and you’re still late.”

Ripken on the Royals’ confidence: “If you’re another team watching this series, you are realizing the scary thing about the Royals is they have gotten more and more confident, and they are very talented.”

Ripken on the leadership of Royals catcher Salvador Perez: “Perez’s leadership, ability to calm pitchers during excitable times in the playoffs and ability to fix mechanics has been a big intangible for the Royals this postseason.”

Darling on the Royals’ early-inning offense: “I don’t know whether it’s the confidence, the youth, good coffee or white egg omelets, but they have outscored the opposition in the postseason 16-6 in the first three innings. They’ve been getting off to quick starts.”

Darling on Royals outfielder Alex Gordon: “The player that [Royals manager] Ned Yost wanted on this team was an athletic player who could play defense, doesn’t strike out a lot and is a leader…Gordon represents all of that.”

Darling on the Royals postseason strategy: “In a postseason where one of the themes as been ‘We don’t want to get away from what we’ve done all year,’ you look at this Kansas City team. [Royals reliever] Kelvin Herrera pitched two innings yesterday; he never pitched the next day in the regular season…he’s pitching today.”

Darling on the resiliency of the Orioles: “Baltimore is a team that has a lot of resiliency and fight in them. That bodes well for the Orioles and for this series.”

Darling on Orioles starting pitcher Bud Norris: “He is an excitable pitcher, pitches on adrenaline and kind of has that football mentality. He has come out of the blocks firing!”

Darling on the diving catch made by Orioles outfielder Adam Jones in the 3rd: “Adam Jones really is one of the few guys on the Baltimore lineup that can match the athleticism of the Kansas City Royals.”

Ripken on the Orioles bullpen: “The Orioles have a really in-depth bullpen. They are fighting and going back and forth with the Royals. Really, really exciting baseball.”

Martinez on the exciting baseball being played by the Royals: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen more exciting baseball, and I’ve never been in a series when you’ve seen more excitement than you’ve seen today. Kansas City is outstanding. They are a fun team.”  

Sheffield on the winning combination for the Royals: “This is going to be the team that everyone is talking about for years to come, because it starts with their pitching and ends with their defense. You can’t beat these guys.”