The Mets got on the board with a rousing 9-3 victory Friday night, ensuring that the Royals would not sweep them out of the 111th World Series. One more victory at Citi Field either Saturday or Sunday night, and the Mets ensure the teams will head back to Kauffman Stadium for a sixth game. Here are the essentials:
World Series Game 4: Royals at Mets (Royals lead best-of-seven series 2-1)
First pitch: 8:07 p.m. ET; TV: Fox
Pitching matchup: Chris Young (3.06 ERA, 6.1 K/9, .640 OPS against, 123 1/3 IP) vs. Steven Matz (2.27 ERA, 8.6 K/9, .650 OPS against, 35 2/3 IP)
How both have fared this postseason:
When we last left the Royals, they were fuming about the purpose pitching of right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who buzzed leadoff man Alcides Escobar with a first pitch that was higher than it was tight, though it still prompted him to hit the deck. While the tactic bothered them, the Royals didn’t shrink from it, scoring three runs quickly and nearly knocking out Syndergaard in the second inning. He recovered from there, and the Mets offense overwhelmed Royals pitching for the first time in the Series.
The Royals posted a 31-27 won-lost record against left-handed pitchers in the regular season, and were 28 games over .500 overall, but their collective splits against lefties are virtually identical. The difference in OPS was .001, so Matz shouldn’t be any more of a formidable challenge than anyone else the Mets have thrown at the Royals so far. Matz was terrific in six regular-season starts, but he’s been just OK in two playoff starts, striking out eight in 9 2/3 innings combined and getting 13 swinging strikes along the way. Matz has a home-field advantage like no other player in the series; he grew up on Long Island, and reportedly spent the night in his childhood home with his mom and dad.
He also can do this:
Chris Young has found a fountain of youth this season, putting up his best numbers since 2007, if not ever. He’s also been ridiculously good in the postseason, though it’s only been for 10-19 batters at a time. He pitched three nearly perfect innings of relief in the 14-inning marathon Game 2, throwing 53 pitches in picking up the victory. He’s also been solid at Citi Field, posting a 3.61 in nine starts there — all for the Mets in 2011-2012. With Young sometimes vulnerable to home runs, especially against left-handed batters, this could be a moment for Curtis Granderson to continue his strong postseason, or for Daniel Murphy to pick up his home-run swing again. The Mets also have Lucas Duda and Michael Conforto from the left side, so Young will be challenged with lots of power threats.
Who’s hitting in the postseason for the Royals?
Alcides Escobar — .356/.375/.559 with 12 runs scored and seven extra-base hits
Ben Zobrist — .310/.359/.534 with two homers, seven doubles and 12 runs scored
Alex Gordon — .261/.370/.478 with two homers and seven walks
Salvador Perez — .224/.309/.510 with four homers and four walks
Who’s not hitting in the postseason for the Royals?
Lorenzo Cain — .241/.344/.315
Mike Moustakas — .218/.267/.291
Eric Hosmer — .214/.242/.286 but with 16 RBI on 12 hits
Who’s hitting for the Mets in the postseason?
Daniel Murphy — .353/.400/.804 with seven homers and 11 RBI
Juan Lagares — .381/.409/.476 with two steals
Curtis Granderson — .283/.382/.457 with two homers, 10 RBI and four steals
Who’s not hitting for the Mets in the postseason?
Michael Conforto — .091/.154/.227
Yoenis Cespedes — .234/.245/.383 with two homers, eight RBI, one walk and 15 strikeouts
Wilmer Flores — .206/.308/.324
This game is no less important for the Mets than was Game 2. If the Royals win, they’ll take a 3-1 lead in the World Series, which will give them an 88.4 percent chance of winning the title based on history. Further, when the road team takes a 3-1 lead, it’s won 20 of 22 times in history.
Young (left) and younger. (USATSI)
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