New York Mets

While they only have to face them three more times in the regular season, the New York Mets struggle mightily against the Royals, in particular.

By Jeremy Fialkow

It’s almost as if this Kansas City Royals team is some sort of kryptonite for the New York Mets.

Last night, as the Mets kicked off their 55th season on the 30th anniversary of the 1986 World Series team, a late New York rally fell just short, as New York lost to the Royals (again) in Kansas City 4-3.

Sunday’s game played out just as last season’s matchup between these two clubs did.

Truly speaking, it felt like Game 6 of the 2015 World Series.

When a Royal put the bat on the ball, every single baseball that chopped and bounced on the dirt seemed to dribble right through an open hole, as oppose to the Mets, who tend to hit the baseball directly at a standing defender.

That definitely wasn’t the only issue exposed last night and throughout the 2015 Fall Classic.

Yoenis Cespedes decides (probably subconsciously) to have a fun early-game mind lapse in the outfield when playing Kansas City, and with the Dark Knight Matt Harvey on the mound.

Everyone remembers last year, as the World Series kicked off Game 1 with a long shot by Alcides Escobar deep to the wall in left-centerfield. Cespedes proceeded to attempt a basket-catch, he missed, and the ball trickled away while Escobar sprinted around the bases for an inside-the-park homer off of Harvey.

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Sunday’s game was more of the same. Cespedes made a terrible error at a line drive heading straight for his glove. One passed ball by Travis D’arnaud, a single by Eric Hosmer later, and the Royals have a 1-0 lead.

Again, this wasn’t a replay of the 2015 World Series.

Matt Harvey pitched OK but wasn’t special. He departed after 5.2 innings, charged with four runs on eight hits and two walks. Not very sharp.

The Captain, David Wright, took just one game to worry Mets fans everywhere about the ailing back of his. It’s sad that the captain is unable to catch up to any fastball that exceeds 94 mph, or so it appears. He finished 0-4 with two strikeouts.

In addition, Wright’s lofted throws from third base have lost all power that the young David Wright would zip across the diamond. At one point, this led to a costly infield single.

After being forced to stand on watch the endless pregame ceremonies honoring the Champions of Baseball (Syndergaard retribution?), the Mets missed a beautiful opportunity to quite a raucous and obnoxious crowd.

Instead, they continued their tradition of playing trash defense and mindless baseball against Kansas City.

Situational hitting appears impossible for New York, as they left two or more men on base in four innings Sunday night. Simply inexcusable.

Yes, the New York Mets lost one game, the first game, and they’re in last place in the National League East standings.

How ever will they dig themselves out of this massive hole?

Surely, not by playing the Royals 161 times more.NYM_300_250_v1

The Royals are the epitome of persistence and success at this point in time. From being losers of the 2014 World Series to winning it all in 2015, Kansas City represents everything the Mets want to accomplish this season.

Luckily, the Royal’s kryptonite ironically seems to be he who they call Thor (Marvel over D.C. any day of the week, by the way).

With Noah Syndergaard, the only Met to defeat KC in the Fall Classic, on the mound in Game 2 and final game of this American League-National League bash, the Mets look to steal a road win and even their season record at 1-1.

Remember, the Major League Baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint.

NEXT: Mets Drop Season Opener To Royals (Highlights)

Jeremy Fialkow was born and raised in Miami, FLA, but currently studies at the University of Maryland. When he's not studying hard, he can be found supporting his sometimes hopeless NY teams: Knicks, Mets, Jets, and Isles. Your sympathy is appreciated.