Can you believe it? I remember the start of the season as if it was yesterday. Now it all comes down to one series, one duel, pitching versus power: the New York Mets versus the Kansas City Royals.
The New York Mets are trying to bring home the championship for the first time since 1986. The Kansas City Royals are trying to win their second title in the franchise history.
Here at Last Word On Sports we are predicting the world series. We tackle the most important factors that will potentially decide who will triumph in this edition of the Fall Classic.
Game One: Harvey wins at Kauffman Stadium.
Matt Harvey, a.k.a the Dark Knight, is a potential candidate for NL Comeback Player of the Year. Harvey may have some trouble dealing with the Royals’ lineup, as it is projected that he’ll face three left-handed batters (Moustakas, Hosmer and Gordon) and two switch-hitters (Zobrist and Morales). He allowed fifteen home runs to left-handed batters this year (three home runs allowed versus right-handed batters). But even against a challenging lineup, Matt Harvey is still Matt Harvey. He averaged ninety-five miles per hour with his fastball this year.
It is projected that Edinson Volquez will start for the Royals in game one. He has a very difficult task in trying to cool down Daniel Murphy (eight hits and four home runs versus right-handed pitchers this postseason). Volquez will have trouble commanding his two-seam fastball, and the Mets will take game one 5-1.
Game Two: Johnny Cueto will bounce back and even the series 1-1.
This game will be the most interesting in terms of pitching. Jacob deGrom is slated to start for the Mets, and Johnny Cueto will toe the rubber for the Royals.
Cueto had an awful outing in the ALCS, pitching only two innings and allowing eight runs. But he’ll manage to contain a slumping Mets lineup. deGrom will pitch as well as can be expected, but the bullpen will lose the game.
Game Three: Noah Syndergaard and his ninety-nine mile per hour fastball will take game three.
This game will light up the radar guns as the pitching matchup is projected to be Syndergaard versus Ventura. Syndergaard will strike out more than ten batters, and Ventura will have trouble commanding his fastball, a pitch he’ll desperately need to get working, as the Mets have trouble batting versus high heat. If the Mets manage to score two runs, Familia will lock-up the third game of the Fall Classic.
Game Four: Royals fail to capitalize versus Steven Matz.
It looks like Chis Young will be pitching for the Royals, and he’ll get crushed by the Mets. He’ll only three innings and allow six runs. Steven Matz won’t be as sharp as Terry Collins expects, but he’ll get the job done by allowing four runs in seven innings pitched. Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy will have one home run each as they top the Royals offense.
Game Five: The New York Mets win the Fall Classic for the first time since 1986.
The Big Apple will welcome the trophy as Matt Harvey and Daniel Murphy take Game Five from the Royals. Johnny Cueto will start for the Royals, but the pressure will be too much for him. Daniel Murphy will win World Series MVP, and Jeurys Familia will close the game striking out the side.
Congratulations New York!
What do you think? Will the Royals win? Hit me up on Twitter @LWOSalex_levox.
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