SU has been overdue in providing commentary on this year’s World Series. Working way too hard but hey, it’s a living. Actually had a chance today to see the island where Derek Jeter built his multi-million dollar house in Tampa. I must admit that I only lasted until the bottom of the 11th inning on Tuesday night but I think this series is becoming pretty clear at this point.
- The Royals have no true superstar or a guy that carries the team. But what they do have is what Michael Kay would call a “circular line-up.” There is no real beginning or end to this line up. They all hit, they all make contact and they seem to have an idea when they come to the plate.
- You also have to admire the way KC comes from behind late in games. There is no panic in this team. They did it to Houston in game 4 of that series when they trailed by 4 runs late, and they are doing it again tonight to the Mets.
- The Mets are gritty but you can see their young stud starters are struggling the 3rd time through the line up. And the real advantage and mis-match in this series is the KC bullpen vs. the Mets relievers. Outside of Famillia, it’s not even close and that tends to shorten the games for the Mets to 6 or 7 innings. A lot of pressure to score off of their starters who are not as good as the Mets’ starting pitchers.
- Finally, SU believes last year’s World Series 7-game loss to the Giants is a huge edge for the Royals who have been there before as they say.
SU still expects this series to go 6 games. It’s been a lot of fun so far and I continue to find myself rooting for the Mets which is not normal for SU. But KC is very very tough and the Mets are going to have to dig deep in the 3 NY games.
SU is stranded down in Florida for the moment and thus cannot tune in to tonight’s Knicks game. But I am very excited to see them up on Milwaukee with little in the way of contribution from Melo. Balance is the key for them. SU tends not to over-react to opening night games of any teams so let’s let the season unfold a bit. Jeremy Lin had 17 in a losing effort but most of SU’s other faves have been DNPs (McGary, Stauskus). What is up with that?
Sports Update Intergalactic 
Would just add that the starters might struggle the 3rd time through an AMERICAN LEAGUE lineup. The DH and no pitcher to hit put a lot of extra stress on all pitchers. I expect the Mets starters to look a bit stronger in NY.
The Royals remind me a little of those 90’s Braves teams that found a way to win and had contributions from the entire roster. Even though I am pulling for the Mets in this one you have to like how the Royals kept their cool after the “pulled off the bag” play at first and only gave up one run in that inning. No panic in these guys. Someone may want to check if Ned Yost is alive. I thought I saw him blink last night but I am not positive…
For those from the South the talk radio is all about Florida/Georgia this weekend and whether or not Mark Richt will be leaving for the Miami Hurricanes job. The word on the street is that if UGA loses Richt is headed to Miami and if they win, he is headed to Miami. But hey, this is a big game as it is always exciting to know who earns a bid to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
I believe there was some crazy stat last night where KC had only whiffed on 2 of 25 pitches when they had 2 strikes on them. Not sure where they ended up on that tally but the whole KC lineup makes great contact top to bottom. I agree with Seth’s comment that no DH in NY should change things up a bit. The Met’s DH option is equivalent to a 7, 8, or 9 hitter while KC’s is like an extra 4, 5, or 6 hitter.
I need to screen shot the standings showing the Knicks in first place today. It actually looked like a team effort from the box score. Let’s see if they can keep it up against the better teams in the league.
Game 1 of the 1986 World Series, the Mets lost by 1 run. Game 2 they lost by 6 runs…
Evan, I like the way you think !
Good insights by all on Mets home field and no DH. But there is pressure for them to score before the 7th – 9th innings given strong KC bullpen. It’s still a series. But Syndegaard needs to be solid tomorrow night.
Melo held to 27 shots last night
Yes, I saw that as well as his 4 for 16 in the first game. I don’t even care that he is missing. But if you run an offense that is supposed to create the ideal shot on each possession, why does it seem like the ball finds him for that shot so many times? I don’t buy the argument that he has no one to pass to. We’ve had 12 years of that in the NBA with him. Still early. I will be patient. Maybe until next week even!