There's an old quote about Garry Maddox, the great Philadelphia Phillies center fielder of the 1970s: "Water covers two-thirds of the Earth and Garry Maddox covers the other third."
That's the kind of defense Lorenzo Cain has been playing in the postseason -- and all season, really. The defensive metrics rate him as one of the game's best center fielders. In the top of the fifth inning, he made diving catches on consecutive batters, robbing Albert Pujols and then Howie Kendrick to help preserve the Royals' 7-2 lead. After the second catch, James Shields doffed his cap to Cain as he walked off the mound.
Pre-pitch positioning and the near-immediate break on the ball pic.twitter.com/DzVgFRzd6y
— Maul Boo-yé (@paul_boye) October 6, 2014
Lorenzo Cain simply won't be satisfied until he has the entire postseason web gem reel to himself.
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) October 6, 2014
Lorenzo Cain's taking over the #SCtop10. Kansas City's CF makes back-to-back diving catches to end top of 5th inning. Royals lead, 7-2.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 6, 2014
let's talk about the defensive component of WAR
— Jeff Sullivan (@based_ball) October 6, 2014
Well, since you asked: The Royals' outfield led the majors with 46 defensive runs saved. After watching them through four playoff games, we know why.