2015 World Series Preview: Kansas City Royals and New York Mets

This year the fall classic comes down to two teams who've completed a full 180 within the last two years.  These are two teams who were easily considered laughing stocks and the butt of many jokes as recently as, well July for the Mets. 

The Royals now enter as a slight favorite, a different tone from last year when they made an appearance in the world series for the first time in 29 years.  Despite falling short to the juggernaut San Francisco Giants  who claimed their third title in five years, the Royals remained the dominant American league club in 2015. They now find themselves with home field advantage in the series where it matters most.

Kansas City will likely face a challenge in games 3,4, and 5 at Citi Field in New York. The weather could prove to be a difficult adjustment after having played all of their playoff road games indoors. The Mets have gone 3-1 this playoffs in their frigid home ball park, and only plan on providing the Royals with heaters of the fastball variety.

From what we have seen, these are two teams that appear equally strong and most analysts will probably tell you that there is no clear cut favorite to win. The Royals get the nod on experience however the Mets appear to be hotter of the two.

The key to the series for most baseball enthusiasts appears to be the difference in the two giants' greatest weapons. New York sports elite young starting pitchers and Kansas City has arguably the greatest cast of relief pitchers we have seen in the modern era. The Mets appear capable of handing the ball to all of their starters and relying on spectacular late inning performances. Meanwhile, the Royals really only need four or five innings from their own due to their versatile arsenal of arms out of the pen.

All eyes will likely keen on New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy who had exhibited an otherworldly performance in this postseason. What he has done has been nothing short of remarkable, but will he be able to continue what has now become a historic post season hot streak on this the biggest stage? Perhaps an even bigger question may be, do the Mets need him to do so in order to win the championship.

The Royals attack is a model of balance and their defense is top notch. The Mets are definitely seen as a streakier team, however they do have wildcard bats in their oder with players like Yoenis Cespedes and Lucas Duda. Even young catcher Travis D'arnaud has been swinging a hot bat in these playoffs.

I predict that the series will include two stanzas in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The logical part of me believes that the Royals are the better overall team and that they are twice as hungry and ready for this inter league battle. However I believe that baseball defies logic in a way that is unlike any other sport. The Mets seem to have that magical quality and are simply the hottest team at the moment. Even though Kansas City is the best team on paper, the Amazing' Mets are burning up the scouting reports. I say the Mets win in seven games.

If you want to hear another interesting take on the world series check out Buster Olney and Jerry Krasnick's analysis of the fall classic on the ESPN Baseball Tonight podcast.