With the Kansas City Royals present two games to none lead in the 2015 World Series, Game 3 is all important for the New York Mets to turn the series and their season in their favor. The Royals have taken advantage of the play of outfielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer and shortstop Alcides Escobar. Hosmer, whose error allowed the Mets to take the lead late in Game 1, redeemed himself with a walkoff sacrifice fly in the 14th inning and Escobar’s first pitch inside the park home run (the 12th hit in World Series history and first since 1926.)
Three ways the Mets can get back into the World Series
- Pitching: Yes, while Jacob deGrom had a rocky Game 2 start (five innings pitched, four earned runs and two K’s) New York has one more ace up their sleeve in Noah Syndergaard (1-1, 2.77 ERA, 13 IP and 20 K’s in his two career postseason starts). The Royals pitching staff as a whole has shut down a hot Mets lineup, while their New York counterparts struggled to get outs in crunch time.
- Offensive Production: Curtis Granderson, Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda have been consistent on offense to support a rather subpar performance from regular season stud Yoenis Cespedes throughout the 2015 postseason.
- Change of Venue: Through two games at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals went 7-for-25 with runners in scoring position while the Mets managed to go 2-for-14 in such situations. Kansas City took advantage of their surroundings and I believe that New York will do the same in Game 3.
For the Mets to have any chance in this series, all three of these factors have to play a part of Game 3. As the San Francisco Giants of 2010, 2012 and 2014 have proven to us, pitching and timely hitting are key to lasting October legacies whether by an individual or by a team as a whole. The Royals have taken this mantra to heart this postseason.
The first two factors are the key to a Game 3 victory for the 2015 version of the Amazin’ Mets.
Upcoming Schedule – All Times Central on FOX
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 30 Royals @ Mets, 7:07 pm
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 31 Royals @ Mets, 7:07 pm
*Game 5: Sunday, Nov. 1 Royals @ Mets, 7:15 pm
*Game 6: Tuesday, Nov. 3 Mets @ Royals, 7:07 pm
*Game 7: Wednesday, Nov. 4 Mets @ Royals, 7:07 pm
