The New York Mets take on the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of the World Series at Kauffman Stadium tonight. In order to oust their opponent, each team will need certain players to step up, or vice versa, they’ll need to slow down a member of the opposition. With that said, here are x-factors for each team who could swing the series.
Alcides Escobar
Going into the playoffs, the idea of Escobar batting leadoff didn’t make a whole lot of sense. He didn’t get on base (.293 OBP) and didn’t draw walks (26 BB/148 games). Ned Yost clearly knows what he’s doing as the Venezuelan shortstop has raked, batting .386 in 11 games, including winning the ALCS MVP after hitting .478 against the Toronto Blue Jays. With a first pitch swing approach, Escobar was unstoppable.
For the Mets to slow him down, they can’t throw him first pitch strikes. If there are any cracks in Escobar’s armour, it’s his lack of walks, as he hasn’t drawn on all postseason. If the Mets can get him deeper into counts, they can slow him down. If he swings the bat as well as he did in rounds 1 and 2, the Royals have something at the top of the order.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 26: Yoenis Cespedes #52 of the New York Mets claps during the Mets workout the day before Game 1 of the 2015 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and Mets at Kauffman Stadium on October 26, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)
2015 World Series
Daniel Murphy certainly had an amazing NLCS, and should be planned for accordingly, but the Royals need to watch out for Cespedes. He had a bounce back year, hitting 35 home runs in 2015, and has jacked two homers in the playoffs (both against the Dodgers). With two three-hit games, you’d think his OBP would be highest than .286, but Cespedes, like Escobar, is immune to taking walks (just one this Postseason).
Cespedes is dealing with a shoulder injury suffered in Game 1 and is unlikely to be 100%, but the Mets need his power more than ever. Murphy can’t possibly sustain his pop, and the Mets will need Cespedes to step up should it dissipate. The Royals have a deep pitching staff and New York will need him to be in attack mode. If Cespedes is healthy, and swinging the bat like he can, it’s a huge boost to the Mets lineup.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 23: Wade Davis #17 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in the ninth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game six of the 2015 MLB American League Championship Series at Kauffman Stadium on October 23, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Wade Davis
The 30-year-old has been his usual dominant self in the playoffs with 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings, while not allowing his opponents to score. Against Toronto in Game 6, with Dalton Pompey on third with no outs, Davis somehow got out of a huge jam and did so with relative ease. His composure in big moments has been outstanding in 2015.
Davis is the x-factor among the pitching staff because if Royals starters fail to make it deep in games, Davis has shown the ability to pitch multiple innings for the team in relief – something he didn’t do once in the regular season. Kansas City’s bullpen is stacked, but with Davis is the best in the group. Should the team run into trouble late in the game, Davis can be counted on in pretty much any situation. He’s a big game pitcher.
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 26: Steven Matz #32 of the New York Mets pitches during the Mets workout the day before Game 1 of the 2015 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and Mets at Kauffman Stadium on October 26, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)
Steven Matz
Matz is the most inexperienced pitcher in the series, and his success is instrumental in the Mets bringing home the World Series. A top prospect entering the year, the 24-year-old pitched in six regular season games posting an impressive 4-0 record with a 2.27 ERA. In two postseason games, the Mets have kept in on a relatively short leash, as he hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in either start.
Named the starter for Game 4, Matz will need to deeper into games to give the Mets a chance to win. Jacob DeGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Matt Harvey have all shown the ability to bring it in the playoffs, and it’s time for him to the same. With Bartolo Colon pitching out of the bullpen, there’s somewhat a safety net, but going deep into a close game is exactly what the club needs from him. But should he struggle, Terry Collins should have no problem quickly giving him the hook.
