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It is that time of year again! October baseball is coming to an end with just two teams left in the hunt. The Kansas City Royals who look to avenge their loss in last year’s World Series while the New York Mets are finally back in the postseason after a nine year drought. Both of these teams have not hoisted the trophy since the mid-1980s. Let’s take a closer look at how each team got here.
The Kansas City Royals
It is not surprise the Royals are back in the World Series. They have dominated all season long after being burned by Madison Bumgarner in last year’s series. The Royals wanted revenge and they got it, winning their division easily.
The Royals are not an intimidating team on paper. This team has managed to win without any major power bats. Instead winning with a solid bullpen and smart base running. If this team can hand a lead to their bullpen, they have to feel confident in their chances of winning. Players like Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, and Eric Hosmer have made the big play, whether it be a bunt or a home run. Ned Yost loves to play small ball and his hitters rarely strike out. This team has to stay aggressive on the bases as the Mets are not great at holding runners on base. However, this young Mets rotation might change that.
The New York Mets
Who had the lowly Mets in the World Series? No one and don’t pretend like you did! This team does not even look like the same team that started the season. Enough cannot be said about the addition of OF Yoenis Cespedes. The guy has been an absolute monster not just at-bat, but also in the field. Cespedes turned the lineup into one of the best in the majors. In the playoffs, however Cespedes has been overshadowed by out of this world Daniel Murphy. If you are a long-suffering Mets fan like I am, you remember how many times you saw this guy make dumb plays that usually cost the team runs. He could always hit, however, but never for much power. To say that it is surprising that his bat is carrying this team would be quite the understatement.
The pitching has also helped this team soar into the World Series. Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz. All four are aces, but for the Mets that is their starting rotation. It is pretty incredible that all of these guys who can throw 95+ with ease are on one team, but they are fun to watch! We cannot talk about Mets pitching without mentioning their best player all season, Jeurys Familia. Closer Familia has been nearly unhittable this postseason after having a 43 save season. It helped that midseason he developed one of the nastiest pitches in baseball, a split-finger fastball that he can throw to go along with his best pitch, a power slider. The Mets are definitely the team with the big names who can deliver in the big moments.
