World Series Game 2: Five things you need to know before first pitch
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It hasn’t been the best of times for Johnny Cueto since coming over to the Royals before the July trade deadline. But one thing the team hopes will help him now that it’s the World Series, is pitching in front of the home crowd.
Cueto gets the ball in Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium, with the Royals hoping to take a 2-0 lead over the New York Mets. First pitch is at 8:07 p.m. ET and the game airs on Fox.
When Royals manager Ned Yost put together his rotation, he figured getting Cueto the start at home was optimal. Cueto got lit up in Toronto in the ALCS and famously got rattled by the Pittsburgh fans in the 2013 NL wild-card game. Since then, opposing fans have taken that cue and tried to get under Cueto’s skin. Yost didn’t recount all that when talking about Cueto, but he did advocate for the home crowd.
[Related: Five key moments from the Royals’ 5-4 win in World Series Game 1]
“I feel like he’s pitched great games here. He really draws on the energy of our fans. And again, I felt like you try to put everybody in a position where they can be successful. And he more than anybody else really draws that energy from our fans. We just felt it was the best move.”
Cueto’s best postseason start came at Kauffman. That was the Game 5 clincher of the ALDS against the Houston Astros, in which Cueto pitched eight innings of two-run, two-hit ball. But when the Royals lost seven of eight Cueto starts from mid-August to the end of September, three of those losses did come at home.
So there’s some mystery about which Cueto the Mets will face in Game 2. He’d come back in Game 6, if necessary, again in Kansas City, so there’s no worries about the road fans at this point. But even if there were, Cueto said it’s all part of the game.
“That’s the fans and what they’re supposed to do,” Cueto said. “They’re supposed to make a lot of noise and try to distract you. All you have to do as a pitcher is focus on what your job is.
THE METS ARE CONFIDENT WITH DEGROM ON THE MOUND
On the other side of the pitching matchup, the Mets have Jacob deGrom pitching. He’s not their “ace,” but he might as well be. He’s established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game and he’s been great in the postseason, going 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in three starts. And all three have been on the road.
[Related: Mets need another gem from Jacob deGrom to even World Series]
He’s also extra rested, which makes manager Terry Collins happy. In the clubhouse, the Mets fell good about their chances with deGrom pitching.
“He’s good,” said Daniel Murphy. “You look at the kind of year he’s had, the way he’s thrown the ball in the postseason and we’re really excited about having him on the mound … Hopefully we get our split and go home.”
METS ADD LAGARES TO THE LINEUP
A small shift in Collins’ lineup heading into Game 2. Juan Lagares is starting in center and batting ninth. He was on the bench to start Game 1, but he subbed in later and had two hits and a stolen base. That pushes Yoenis Cespedes to left field (his better position) and Michael Conforto to DH. It also makes the Mets’ outfield better defensively.
Here’s their lineup.
ROYALS LINEUP IS … WELL, THE SAME
No changes for the Royals, meanwhile, who are trotting out their usual lineup for Game 2.
BULLPENS COULD BE A BIG FACTOR
After a 14-inning affair in which 13 pitchers were used, both teams will want strong outings from their starters. But if they don’t, the stress and workload of a wild Game 1 could loom large. Which bullpen cracks could decide whether this series move to New York tied or with the Royals in a commanding position.
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
