MLB

NEW YORK — One by one, these hitters who make up the relentless Kansas City Royals lineup are reducing this game to its smallest common denominator.

The Kansas City Royals have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series, but the New York Mets will get a chance to turn things around with three games in a row at home.

After sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series, the Mets have seen their bats go cold and their young pitchers struggle through the first two games. Based on the way the Royals have played so far, this could lead to a sweep if things don't change in a hurry.

This thing isn't over yet.

That's what uneasy Mets fans are telling themselves as the World Series shifts to Queens for Game 3 on Friday (8:07 p.m. ET on Fox), with the Kansas City Royals holding a commanding 2-0 lead.

But it also has the benefit of being true. Yes, the odds are stacked against the Mets. Of the 50 teams that have fallen behind 2-0 in Fall Classic history, only 10 have come back to hoist the trophy.

When the Miami Marlins decided to go ahead with their hiring of Don Mattingly as their next manager, they gained instant credibility. Of course, that is a thing they badly needed.

Noah Syndergaard wasn't even alive the last time that the New York Mets climbed out of a 2-0 hole in the World Series way back in 1986.

In Game 3 of the 2015 Fall Classic, the 23-year-old right-hander will be responsible for jump-starting a similar comeback as he takes the mound opposite of Yordano Ventura at Citi Field.

On the same day the Miami Marlins reportedly agreed to terms with Don Mattingly to become the franchise's next leader in the clubhouse, per Vice Sports' Molly Knight, the front office decided to shake things up. 

NEW YORK — You don't bother asking Omar Minaya if the New York Mets are still his team, because you know they always have been. You don't need to ask if he feels good about the World Series coming back to Queens this weekend, because you know he does.

"No doubt about it," Minaya said this week. "For the neighborhood, it's great."

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris announced Thursday that his thyroid cancer is in remission after undergoing an operation to remove a malignant growth.    

"I just want to thank everyone for the thoughts & prayers. Surgery was successful & I am Cancer Free," wrote Norris on Instagram.    

After holding serve on their home field, the Kansas City Royals will have a chance to win their first World Series in 30 years by winning two of the three games against the New York Mets at Citi Field starting on Friday. 

After seven seasons with the Texas Rangers, Mike Maddux will not return as the team's pitching coach in 2016.   

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported Maddux would not be back Thursday, later adding it was the Rangers' decision: