It seems like just yesterday it was Opening Day of the baseball season. Every team was tied for first and had a chance to make the playoffs. Now, five months later after a long and grueling 162 games and two Wild Card games, only two teams remain as the players dream of hoisting the World Series trophy above their heads.
Some players can already taste the champagne, while others will end their season with a loss and the memory of what could have been. The Major League Baseball World Series is finally here.
For the first time since 2010, the World Series will consist of two teams not from San Francisco or St. Louis.
The New York Mets, who beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Divison Series 3-2 and the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series in a four game sweep, look to continue their hot streak as they take on the Kansas City Royals. In the NLDS, the Mets faced most likely the most dominant pitching in the postseason with the one-two punch of Clayton Kershaw and Cy Young candidate, Zack Greinke. The Mets showed they have the offense to defeat both pitchers in the series including a game five win off Greinke. In the NLCS, the Mets had little to no competition against the Cubs, never giving the Cubs the lead the entire series. It is no surprise the Mets had such an easy time defeating the Cubs considering the Cubs only have one ace in Jake Arrieta.
The Mets NLCS MVP, Daniel Murphy, has had one of the most dominant performances in postseason history. Murphy, who has never played in a postseason game before this year, had three home runs in 21 at bats including a go ahead home run off Greinke, which proved to be the series clinching run. But he was not done yet, Murphy continued his hot streak entering the NLCS where he hit four more home runs. Murphy set a Major League record with six straight games with a home run.
The Kansas City Royals beat the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series in a three game sweep. Their next opponent, the Toronto Blue Jays, proved to be a challenge to them, almost forcing a game seven, but unfortunately due to good baserunning by the Royals, they were able to squeak by with a win. The Mets dominating pitching might not have as much of an effect as they did on the Cubs because of the fact that the Royals are one of the best hitters when it comes to pitches over 94 MPH which is what the Mets led the MLB in.
Game 1 Starting Pitchers:
Mets Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71 ERA)
Royals Edinson Volquez (13-9, 3.55 ERA)
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m. CDT, FOX
Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
My Prediction: As long as the Mets can get to Volquez early and often, Matt Harvey should be able to hold the Royals to a few run and the Mets can win Game 1, 5-2.
Game 2 Starting Pitchers:
Mets Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54 ERA)
Royals Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44 ERA)
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:00 p.m. CDT, FOX
Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
My Prediction: Cueto, who has already struggled in the playoffs this year(1-1, 7.88 ERA), looks to shut down one of the hottest players in postseason in Daniel Murphy. Murphy has only faced Cueto when Cueto was on the Reds, but he is not as good of a pitcher as he was on the Reds. With that being said, I believe deGrom will be able to shut out the Royals, 3-0.
Game 3 Starting Pitchers:
Mets Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24 ERA)
Royals Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08 ERA)
Friday Oct. 30, 7:00 p.m. CDT, FOX
Location: Citi Field, Flushing
My Prediction: The Mets have one of their best pitchers going Game 3. Syndergaard has a fastball that can break triple digits and has a nasty curveball and changeup on a good day. As long as Syndergaard has his off speed pitches working against KC the Mets should be able to win this one, 4-1.
Game 4 Starting Pitchers:
Mets Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 ERA)
Royals Chris Young (11-6, 3.06 ERA)
Saturday Oct. 31, 7:00 p.m. CDT, FOX
Location: Citi Field, Flushing
My Prediction: Former Mets pitcher, Chris Young, looks to keep Kansas City’s hopes alive in Game 4 at Citi Field. Young has not done well at Citi Field in previous starts going 0-4 in eight games pitched with a 3.93 ERA. On the other hand, rookie phenom, Steven Matz has proven himself to be a part of the elite rotation the Mets have for the postseason. In this game, I expect the Mets to explode with offense, winning their third World Series title, 8-3.