New York Mets vs. Kansas City Royals: Who Has The Advantage In World Series?
Bullpen
Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) celebrates after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
For as strong as the Mets starting rotation is, the bullpen is weak. It is the opposite for the Royals, who have an adequate starting rotation but a lights out bullpen. This is where the series could be won or lost.
Outside of Jeurys Familia, the Mets have very little trust in their bullpen With the NLDS on the line, it was Noah Syndergaard, not Tyler Clippard or Addison Reed, coming in for the seventh inning as a bridge to Familia. That will not be a possibility early on in the series, as the Mets cannot afford to ruin their starting rotation in the first game or two of the series. They will have to find a reliable arm to go to after the starting pitcher, unless they want them going seven or eight innings every night and then Familia picking up the rest.
For the Royals, this is probably their best strength. They suffered a big blow coming into the playoffs, as closer Derek Holland was forced to the sidelines with an elbow issue. It was one he had trouble with all season, yet he still put up strong numbers. There isn’t a big drop off with him out though, as Wade Davis is outstanding at the end of games. He has continued dominating in the postseason, throwing 6 ⅔ innings with zero runs allowed to go with 10 strikeouts.
Kelvin Herrera has appeared in eight of 11 games for the Royals in the postseason, throwing 8 ⅔ innings while allowing only one run and striking out 16. Luke Hochevar has stepped up big time with Holland sidelined, not allowing a run in 5 ⅔ innings pitched. Ryan Madsen has struggled with the longball in the postseason, giving up four after allowing only five all regular season, but he is someone the Royals will still lean on at the end of games.
The Royals bullpen enables them to make games five or six innings instead of nine. Usually once they get involved, especially Herrera and Davis at the end, the game is over. This is the biggest advantage the Royals have in the series, and is quite possibly the biggest advantage either team possesses.
Advantage: Royals
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