Mets will battle Royals, take crown: World Series preview
October 27, 2015
This year may be one of the most interesting World Series match-ups yet.
The Mets celebrate another World Series birth.
On one hand, we have the New York Mets, who looked like a long-shot to make the playoffs based on last year’s performance. They finished nine games out of the Wild Card spot and with a 79-83 record, yet managed to improve over the year prior. During the offseason, the team made just one major signing in OF Michael Cuddyer, who has been relatively insignificant in the team’s playoff run under a 1-year, $21 million contract.
On the other hand, we have the Kansas City Royals. They were my pick to win last year, mostly because the Royals had overcome all odds to make it so far. The Giants win just about everything, and you can’t root against a Cinderella team like the Royals, right? But alas, Giants P Madison Bumgarner is superhuman and singlehandedly willed his team to victory, pitching a record 52 2/3 innings during the postseason and winning the World Series MVP award.
Now, the two teams face off. Starting the season, the Mets looked to be a similar team from last year. However, a late surge in the second half of the regular season catapulted them into the playoffs. They’ve shown it wasn’t a fluke, beating the L.A. Dodgers even while losing a key infielder to injury and sweeping the destined Chicago Cubs (so close, “Back to the Future”) en route to an unlikely World Series appearance. The Royals were the complete opposite, looking dominant all season and finishing with the best record in the AL. They narrowly edged out the Houston Astros and beat one of the most high-powered offenses in baseball in the Toronto Blue Jays during their journey to the Series.
GAME 1: (Probable) Pitching Matchup (NY vs. KC): Matt Harvey vs. Edinson Volquez
Both teams start with their best bets at pitcher. However, while the Mets’ quality stays strong after Harvey, the Royals’ decline quickly after Volquez. Despite this, the Mets’ starting rotation has their work cut out for them. The Royals’ batters are some of the best and most consistent in the MLB. I think the Royals, backed behind the home crowd and with their adept ability to hit pitches of high velocity, take Game 1.
ROYALS LEAD 1-0
GAME 2: (Probable) Pitching Matchup: Jacob deGrom vs. Johnny Cueto
The Mets should bounce back in this one. deGrom has been incredibly solid during the playoffs, with a notable 1.80 ERA and a perfect 3-0 record. Cueto, on the other hand, has been struggling as of late. He ended the regular season shakily, yet seemed to be on the road to recovery against Houston, finishing with a 1-0 record and a 3.86 ERA. However, in his bout against the Blue Jays, he was atrocious, giving up eight runs in just two innings in a Kansas City loss. Mets hitters, led by red-hot Daniel Murphy (batting .421 with 11 RBI this postseason), look to capitalize on Cueto’s recent performance. Expect the Mets to take at least one on the road.
SERIES TIED 1-1
GAME 3: (Probable) Pitching Matchup: Noah Syndergaard vs. Yordano Ventura
Rule #1 of gambling: You don’t bet against a pitcher nicknamed Thor. Rookie pitcher Syndergaard has lit up the MLB with his velocity, and I expect him to light up the Royals like he did this pitch. This one has the making of a pitching duel, as Ventura isn’t a slouch either. While the Mets are horribly inept at hitting fast pitches, a late-inning rally will win the game if Syndergaard can keep the score down. The recent emergence of Mets closer Jeurys Familia should play into the win as well; if the Mets take the lead by the 9th inning, Familia should be called in to preserve the win, as he has converted all five of his save attempts this postseason.
METS LEAD 2-1
GAME 4: (Probable) Pitching Matchup: Steven Matz vs. Chris Young
This game will be won in the bullpen. Both Matz and Young normally pitch under six innings a game due to pitch count. The Royals bullpen, combining for a 5-0 record this postseason (Royals have won 7 games in total), have always been a key to the team’s success. If the bullpen was able to suppress Toronto’s slugging ways, they should have no problem with the Mets.
SERIES TIED 2-2
GAME 5: (Probable) Pitching Matchup: Harvey vs. Volquez
Volquez’ personality and pitching can both be described in just a word: unpredictable. Volquez was suspended earlier this season for his part in a bench-clearing brawl against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he was 3rd in AL in BB. While I think Volquez thrives in Game 1, I can’t rely on him to pitch well again. Also, Harvey should resurrect after his struggle in Game 1; it doesn’t take an elite pitcher like Harvey long to adjust his throwing style to target the weaknesses of a team like the Royals. Expect him to move away from his patented fastball in exchange for his slider and changeup.
METS LEAD 3-2
GAME 6: (Probable) Pitching Matchup: deGrom vs. Cueto
The series is all but over at this point. With Mets fans thirsty for their first title since 1986, deGrom, backed by his 1.99 ERA at home during the regular season and confidence from the Game 2 win, should dispose of the Royals with ease. The Mets’ starting lineup should do the same, as Cueto is terrible on the road, with a 3.80 ERA and a 5-9 record.
METS WIN 4-2
MVP: Jacob deGrom, P Mets