By: Bob Behler
The 2015 World Series starts tomorrow and while I won’t have as much interest in it as last year’s I still will be following it closely. Kansas City has battled back from a seven game loss to the Giants last year to be in position to get it done this season. The core of KC’s team is back and I think if everyone plays to their regular season capabilities, the Royals lineup is better than the Mets. They manufacture runs better and have more team speed. It’s also hard to believe that Daniel Murphy’s hot streak will continue. I also like Kansas City’s bullpen better than New York’s, although Familia has been very good as the closer.
The area where the Mets should have an edge is in starting pitching. The Mets rotation reminds me a lot of the group they had in 1969. Guys who should be really good for a long time to come if they stay healthy. Harvey, deGrom, and Syndergaard have the ability to strikeout a lot of people. And in post-season that goes a long way to winning games. I also think NY has an edge in the dugout with Terry Collins over Ned Yost.
Looking at the series objectively, I like the Royals in six. Think having been there before will help them. Every American League team that has lost a seventh game the previous year and has returned to the World Series has won.
However, if Harvey wins game one in Kansas City, look out, the Mets magic carpet ride might just sail along. The Mets are hoping for a lot of long outings from their rotation. That is the way New York gets it done.
Let’s just hope we get games like the sixth one in the American League Championship Series. Baseball needs an exciting finish to the 2015 season.