One win away from taking the 2015 World Series, the Kansas City Royals turn to a pitching rematch of the series' opening game for Game 5 against the New York Mets.
For much of the last two games, the Mets have had Citi Field rocking and given the look that they would have this series tied up by now. But things fell apart in the eighth inning of Game 4, when the Royals put up three runs to take the lead and eventually take a 3-1 series advantage.
Both teams have to hope for similar performances from their aces that they got in Game 1, hopefully with considerably less extra-inning time. Let's take a closer look at the pitching matchup for Game 5.
Edinson Volquez, Royals
Volquez's life has changed dramatically since he last stepped on the mound for the Royals in Game 1.
After pitching six innings of work in the series opener, giving up six hits and allowing three earned runs in an eventual Royals 14-inning victory, Volquez found out that his father had passed away. He's now back with the team to pitch in a game that could clinch the Royals' first World Series in 30 years.
Volquez has much more than just the stage of the World Series to motivate him Sunday, as Kansas City Star's Vahe Gregorian reported:
“I’m pretty sure my dad is going to be proud of me when I pitch tomorrow on the mound,” he said. “We’ll see.”
His father, he added, “was everything for me. He was one of the greatest men.”
Even for the most diehard Mets faithful, anyone following this World Series has to be pulling for Volquez to at least pitch well in this tough circumstance. It's surely been a tough few days, but he's been with the team since they arrived in New York and has had the great support of his teammates.
When it boils down to it, the 32-year-old is the Royals' most reliable starter—and he's shown it. The desperate Mets bats will surely get a few runs home on him in the early going and Kansas City's bullpen will relieve him after six, but he'll do more than enough to keep his Royals in the game.
Prediction: 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 strikeouts
Matt Harvey, Mets
One of three young aces, Mets pitcher Matt Harvey could do nothing but sit in the dugout and watch as the Royals eventually won Game 1 in one of the longest games in World Series history.
Now, the man who was once pegged as the best young pitcher in baseball has a chance to prove he's worth all the hype by pitching his Mets into a Game 6.
Harvey did allow three runs on five hits in six innings in his Game 1 outing, but one run came on a wild inside-the-park home run. In the middle innings, he absolutely dominated, retiring a dozen batters in a row before allowing the Royals to tie it up as he left the game.
If he can get it going along with his other two aces, the Mets may have a chance after all, as Adam Rubin of ESPN.com noted:
Harvey will come out dealing hot fire and relying on his brutal fastball, one of the only ones Royals hitters have had trouble making contact with in this series. Kansas City's opportunistic bats will find a way to ink out a run, but not much more against Harvey.
Considering the bullpen's troubles in this postseason, the Mets will continue riding Harvey until he can pitch no longer. Expect a long outing for him in this must-win affair.
Prediction: 7.2 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 3 strikeouts
Game Prediction: Mets 5, Royals 2
The Royals are up 3-1 in the series, but it could just as easily be 3-1 Mets. Some might argue that it should be 3-1 Mets.
Surprisingly enough, late-game errors and struggles of elite closer Jeurys Familia have allowed for the Royals to steal a pair of games—including Game 4 on Halloween night. That's the reason why the Mets will do everything they can to keep Harvey in the game, as long as he's pitching well.
Volquez will have the Mets struggling at the plate, but they'll get to the Royals bullpen and put up a few more runs to ice this and force a Game 6.
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