Growing up, there was nothing more important than sports. I would say that from the ages of 9 to 16, my summers consisted of watching the Mets game at night, waking up and watching Sportscenter like seven times, then watching the replay of the Mets game, and then finally going outside to enjoy my summer. And then at night I would watch that night's game. I loved all sports, but baseball was my passion.
Back then, events like the All-Star game seemed special. Before the free agent frenzy and inter-league play, it was a novelty to see your favorite players go up against other players from the opposing league. You could see Randy Johnson vs. Barry Bonds or Greg Maddux vs. Ken Griffey Jr. and it was special because the only other way to see these match-ups would be in the World Series.
That is why I think this year's World Series match-up is intriguing.
The Mets and Royals just do not have a lot history together. Prior to this year's Fall Classic, they have only met 9 times in the regular season, in 2002, 2004, and 2013.
I think the All Star Game and the World Series lose their luster a bit when we see teams and players
that we've seen face off before. This year will be a throwback year because the Royals young lineup and the Mets young pitching have not seen a lot of each other.
The Royals have a young, athletic lineup. They can run and they play good defense. They might not have one guy that jumps out at you but when you look up and down their lineup, they are all solid major league hitters. Eric Hosmer is a middle of the lineup First Baseman, Lorenzo Cain seems to do everything well. Kendrys Morales is the prototypical DH, which will make playing in a National League ballpark interesting. Do they sit their DH and RBI guy???
The Royals, as we saw last year in the playoffs have a strong bullpen, but can their rotation hang with the Mets' young guns. Johnny Cueto has struggled since coming over from the Reds in a deadline deal. Edinson Volquez and Chris Young had solid years, but they are the definition of journeyman pitchers. Yordano Ventura is their young ace and has been a big part of the Royal resurgence of the last two years.
For the Mets, as we all know, it will all come down to their young pitching staff and their ability to get the ball to Jeurys Familia as soon as possible. The Met rotation and their ability to conjure up offense from many different players should put them in a solid position to win games.
As a Met fan, two things terrify me going into the series. One, is the Royals running game against Travis d'Arnaud. d'Arnaud is a wonderful offensive player and a great leader of the pitching staff but he does not have a great arm and I am positive the Royals know that and will try to take advantage. My other worry is the Royals' professional hitters versus the Mets pitchers. Mets pitchers throw a lot of strikes, which is a good thing. But the Royals have a lot of good hitters who like to play small ball, get base hits, and run the bases. I can see the Royals hitters jumping on pitches around the strike zone and killing us with base hits.
These Mets had a surprisingly easy time defeating the Cubs. I don't think the Royals will be as easy a task.
No predictions here though. I can't jinx myself. All I can do this series is wear the same Met jersey I've been wearing for all the playoff games so far and root like I'm a twelve year old fan again.
-BNolan
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