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Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval celebrated after scoring in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals in game five of the World Series at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

(Shane Keyser/Kansas City Star/MCT)

With a 5-0 win, the Giants took a 3-2 lead in the World Series Sunday night. Madison Bumgarner, as he has been this postseason, was a dominant force again. He shutout the Royals, giving up just four hits and striking out eight.

Now, the Giants are one win from their third title in five years. They'll have two more games to win one more time. Here's why this series will go to a Game 7.

1.

Because Madison Bumgarner isn't starting this game. Bumgarner has had a historically great postseason. In six starts and 47 2/3 innings, he has a 1.13 ERA. But the Giants aren't the same when Bumgarner isn't on the mound. Three other Giants pitchers have made a start, nine in total, and they only account for one win.

2.

The Royals play on the edge. Kansas City has spent this entire season one step from disaster. Whether it was in the regular season or the wildcard game, they've survived somehow. Now, they'll need to do it again.

3.

Yordano Ventura has proven himself capable. The 23-year-old righthander has lights-out stuff and shown poise this offseason. His ERA doesn't explain the full story. He allowed a run in seven innings in his first October start and two runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Giants in Game 2. He hasn't been infallible but is capable of shutting down San Francisco's lineup.

4.

The Kansas City bullpen. If Game 6 is close and the Royals are nursing a lead, they have their shutdown bullpen to guide them. Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland haven't been taxed this series and are ready to provide at least three innings again.

5.

This series seems destined to go the distance. It's something about the way the Royals have played this season and their arc that makes you think they are not done just yet. And the Giants, as good as Bumgarner has been, are a flawed team too. And a Game 7 gives us a chance to see Bumgarner one more time, this time out of the bullpen a la Randy Johnson in 2001.

Mike Vorkunov may be reached at mvorkunov@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_Vorkunov. Find NJ.com Mets on Facebook.