3. The Royals Bullpen, Speed
We saw it in four straight games in the NLCS, how the New York Mets would just jump the opposition from the get-go. These guys scored nine first-inning runs in four NLCS games against the Chicago Cubs – or better named the best “good old-fashioned butt-whipping in quite some time.”
This is exactly the type of thing this lineup needs to carry over to the World Series if they have designs on becoming 2015 World Champions.
Kansas City’s strength lies in the bullpen. Johnny Cueto, Yordano Ventura and the rest of the Royals rotation hasn’t been anything of note in October. In fact, Cueto is supposedly their ace and he’s pitched only one solid game (Game 5 of the ALDS).
8 ER in just 2 IP against the Blue Jays is anything but ace stuff.
The Mets must keep this formula of jumping out to early leads a constant in the World Series. It’ll allow them to neutralize this vaunted Royals pen and keep the Mets pitching strength (the starters) as holding the upper hand.
The speed aspect will be tough to deal with all series long. The Mets simply don’t have the defense capable of stopping it. While Travis d’Arnaud is a great hitter and solid receiver, his arm is questionable. Jumping out to early leads will mean everything for New York.
