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Why the Mets win…

The postseason is all about teams catching fire at the right time, and nobody has been hotter than the New York Mets. After beating the Dodgers in Game 5 of the best-of-five series, they steamrolled a powerful Cubs team to clinch their first World Series berth since losing to the crosstown rival Yankees in 2000.

The Mets’ offense was an awkward mix throughout the season, ranking at the bottom of MLB in batting average and hits, yet fourth overall in doubles and among the top ten in home runs. Lately they’ve been showcasing the latter, as extra base hits spark big innings, being a key to manufacturing runs, and they tend to chase opposing starting pitchers early. And the sooner a team removes its starter, the less chance it has of winning.  Bullpen arms get taxed with more innings, especially with additional high-leverage situations, as effectiveness drops and injuries rise.

New York has been the complete package in the postseason, adding to their power prowess with great defense, a lights-out pitching rotation and superb relief corps.

The Kansas City Royals, however, have been playing from behind in their last two series, so they’re not used to being up. Even with the Mets hobbling away from Kauffman stadium in Kansas City down 0-2, returning to Queens for the next three games will spell doom for the American League champions.

The Metropolitan faithful will rattle the Royals’ cage, and New York has a definite shot at returning to KC ahead 3-2.  How can this possibly be done?  The National League champions feature three of the top starting pitchers in baseball in Matt Harvey (the Dark Knight), Noah Syndergaard (Thor), and Jacob DeGrom (DeGrominator) – and those nicknames certainly do them justice. All three have the ability to control tempo, keep hitters off balance and miss bats.

And let’s not forget the hottest player of all, Daniel Murphy. The Mets’ second-baseman has been affectionately referred to among opposing fans as “This F****** Guy,” which will tend to happen when you hit seven home runs in 10 games. Then there’s New York’s longest-tenured player, David Wright (Capain America), at third base, who has been champing at the bit for a shot at the title.

These factors and the strong supporting cast will lead New York to dispatch the Kansas City Royals in six games, and hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time since 1986.

Why the Royals win…

If there’s any question about who’s hotter, the Royals are the answer. They came from behind to dispatch the Astros, and bested the favored Blue Jays in six games. Nobody gave Kansas City a chance before the season, with just three out of 87 media “experts” surveyed even picking them to win their division, let alone make it to the World Series.

A few necessary deadline trades boosted their odds, especially the addition of Ben Zobrist. “Zorilla” has provided a level of depth this team lacked. He can play almost anywhere in the field, bats from both left and right sides, gets on base and has some pop in his bat; and he’s just the beginning.  The Royals’ lineup features a bevy of left-handed power hitters, perfectly countering the hard righty throwers the Mets have.

New York can get to the Royals’ starting pitchers early, huh? Too bad Kansas City’s game plan all season long has been to unleash its bullpen sooner than most teams, thus saving the arms of the starters. It’s sure worked, so far. The unheralded Johnny Cueto shut down that “potent” Mets lineup, going the distance for a complete-game win in Game 2 – the first AL starter to pitch a complete Series game since 1991.

The first two of the “Big Three” in New York’s rotation have not lived up to the hype, mainly because the Royals feast on fastballs. The harder they throw, the further the ball goes. KC has knocked out the Dark Knight and terminated the DeGrominator – so don’t be surprised when they cause Thor to drop his hammer tonight.

The three-game set at Citi Field this weekend doesn’t worry Kansas City. With a 2-0 series lead, they can drop two games and still be ahead. Games 6 and 7 are back at home, where they’ll finish off the Metropolitans and wear the crown fit for Royals.

Advocate Staff