There is no static formula in reaching the World Series. The paths forged by the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets are proof of that.
Just as different are the players who will have a strong impact on the championship fortunes of their respective teams. Here are three from each side deserving of added focus.
Bartolo Colon
Should one of the Mets’ four young power pitching horses fail to reach the six or seven-inning mark in any start, then chances are the call will go to an old stallion. Defying age and typical playing shape, the 42-year-old Colon – who won 14 games during the regular season – is seamlessly transitioning into middle relief. Considering the bridge to closer Jeurys Familia leaves much to be desired, this makes Bartolo’s role all the more significant.
Matt Harvey says he’s willing to throw out of the bullpen in a Game 7, but “better yet, we’ve got Bartolo Colon.”
— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) October 26, 2015
Kendrys Morales
The Royals’ designated hitter in Kansas City is likely going to be the designated sitter in New York (pinch-hitting opportunities notwithstanding). Unless Ned Yost wants to tinker with the lineup, Morales won’t be seen much during the games at Citi Field. Thus, a heavy hitter for K.C. – with 22 home runs and 106 RBI for the regular season – is neutralized. When the action is at Kauffman Stadium, he’ll provide a power bat to a batting order that’s typically not dependent on the big fly.
Wilmer Flores
The man at the forefront of the greatest non-trade in team history now serves as a focal point in the World Series. With Ruben Tejada’s unfortunate collision in the NLDS, Flores is a starter for the duration. His bat has more pop, but his glove has more holes – and that could pose a problem. Kansas City strikes out fewer than any team in baseball, and their high contact ratio along with better-than-average speed consistently puts pressure on the defense – specifically the infield. For Flores, who committed all 14 of his errors in 2015 while at shortstop, should be prepared for plenty of balls hit in his direction.
Kelvin Herrera
The injury to Greg Holland in late September only slightly weakened a very strong Royals bullpen – headed by the almost unhittable Wade Davis, who is embracing his new job as closer. But before opposing batters have to deal with Davis, they usually encounter Herrera, who possesses the highest average fastball velocity of any AL reliever. His seven blown saves during the regular season are (at the time) a distant memory, as he’s allowed five hits and one run (while fanning 16) over the course of 8.2 playoff innings.
Lucas Duda
No hitter better defines “feast or famine.” From July 25 through Aug. 2, Duda had nine home runs – then went 19 games before he hit his next one. During a three-game stretch in late September, he slugged five more. For much of the postseason, he’s been more liability than power threat – with just three hits and 13 strikeouts over his first 24 at-bats. Then, in the NLCS clincher, Duda launched a three-run homer in the first and drove in a pair with a second inning single. The Mets certainly hope he has one more hot streak left in him.
Johnny Cueto
Now presenting the pitching equivalent of Duda. When the Royals struck a deal with Cincinnati to acquire its ace starter, they did so with the thought of him making significant starts. Those hopes have been fulfilled, even though consistency hasn’t come with it. Cueto won Game 5 of the ALDS with a brilliant eight-inning, two-hit, two-run performance in which he retired the final 19 Astros he faced. In Game 3 of the ALCS, the Blue Jays tagged him for eight runs over two innings. So which Johnny will we see in the World Series? It’s a sure bet neither he, nor Kansas City, knows.