Chris Young was stellar in emergency relief for the Kansas City Royals in the 14-inning marathon that was Game 1. But can the towering veteran deliver the same kind of performance as he starts a pivotal Game 4 on the road opposite the Mets’ Steven Matz? Read on below for our preview of the World Series Game 4. And for more top Saturday action, check out the best college football games to watch here.
[sc:MLBArticles ]Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets World Series Game 4 Preview
Where: Citi Field, Flushing
When: Saturday, October 31, 2015, 8:07 PM ET
Line: Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets – view all MLB lines
Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Kansas City Royals
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Royals haven’t won the World Series since 1985. Chris Young has been in the majors for 10 years but hadn’t come close to sniffing a World Series title, let alone start in the Fall Classic. This Saturday, Young and the Royals look to help each other end their droughts when they take on the Mets at Citi Field.
Young has started just one game, but has pitched decently in all of his three appearances thus far this postseason. That lone start was in Kansas City’s 14-2 win over Toronto in Game 4 of the ALCS, wherein Young allowed two earned runs on two hits in just 4.2 innings of work. Overall, Young has a 1-0 record and a 2.31 ERA across 11.2 innings in three appearances this postseason.
Young has pitched more than five innings in a game just once since mid-July so expect an early call for the Royals’ dependable bullpen. Nevertheless, Young carries a solid 5-2 record and 3.66 ERA with a 1.89 opponents’ batting average in 20 road appearances this season.
As of this writing, the Royals’ relievers have a 2.76 ERA over the last 14 days. The unit has been a bit lucky though, as evidenced by its 4.14 FIP during that stretch.
On offense, the Royals will lean on a lineup that has done well against lefties all throughout the season. Kansas City is fourth in the majors with a .272 batting average opposite southpaw pitchers. Kendrys Morales hit .298 with four homers and had 41 RBIs against lefties in the regular season. Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, meanwhile, batted .279 and .282, respectively.
Kansas City is 8-2 in its last 10 games against left-handed starters.
Betting on the New York Mets
Contrary to Kansas City’s Young, Matz is making a World Series start right in his very first season in the majors. That should feel like a gift and a burden for the 20-year-old lefty when he toes the rubber this Saturday.
In his most recent start, Matz tossed for 4.2 innings and allowed just one run on four hits in the Mets’ 8-3 win over Chicago in Game 4 of the NLCS. Matz made two starts at home in the regular season, coming up with a 2-0 record and a 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings.
With such a young pitcher on the mound, New York’s offense will have to provide runs early to keep Matz’s confidence up. That’s going to be easier said than done, however, especially against Young, who has held the Mets to a .160 batting average in his career.
In any case, the Mets will lean on the bats of Daniel Murphy, Yoenis Cespedes, Lucas Duda. and Curtis Granderson. As of this writing, Murphy is batting .383 with seven home runs and 11 RBIs in 11 games thus far this postseason. Cespedes, on the other hand, is not having a good October thus far, as he’s hitting just .227 this month. Duda and Granderson, meanwhile, are .270 and .268, respectively, in 11 October games apiece.
New York is 6-2 in Matz’s last eight starts overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Kansas City wins, 5-3.
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