N.Y.Mets: The Four Hurlers of the Metropolis Set to Ride

From the desk of:  HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

Game Face!

The Four Hurlers of the Metropolis

The Dark Knight * The deGrominator * Thor * Mad Matz

Pitching Match-Ups

Mets @ Royals

WORLD SERIES
Game One and Two

GAME ONE @ Kansas City

Matt Harvey

vs.

Edinson Volquez

Was there any doubt the Dark Knight would be named Game 1 starter in Kansas City?  This opens Harvey for a return engagement later in the series, and a lesser chance of relief work on his throw day.  

In his first season back on the mound after TJ surgery, Matt Harvey posted a 13-8 regular season record with a a 2.71 ERA, but not without intervention from his agent Scott Boras.  Many are familiar how Harvey's agent loves to rear his meddling head particularly during the World Series.  Expect him to make very untimely comments at some point during the series.

The Real Deal otherwise posted an impressive 0.931 WHiP, an 8.9 K/9 average, and fanned 191 batters in 178.1 innings pitched.  He's raised his efforts to another level through two playoff starts.   With a start each in the NLDS and the NLCS opener, Harvey is 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA, a 0.783 WHiP, an 11.4 K/9 average, and fanned 16 batters in 12.2 innings pitched.

Edinson Volquez, 32, throws right, and should be somewhat familiar to the Mets after spending his last seven seasons in the National League.

• Regular season: 13-9 record with a 3.55 ERA, with 155 strikeouts in 200.1 innings, with a 1.308 WHiP.
• Postseason: 2-1 record with a 4.44 ERA, with 7 strikeouts, 8 walks, and 10 hits allowed in 16.2 innings.

GAME TWO @ Kansas City

Jacob deGrom

vs.

Johnny Cueto

How the Royals manage to keep Kendrys Morales and Eric Hosmer on the field together when the series shifts to Citi Field is fast becoming a curious development.  But, just like in Game 1, Jacob deGrom will certainly face both in Game 2.

Jacob deGrom's 27 strikeouts, to date, became the 5th most after three postseason starts, just four behind Sandy Koufax' record of 31 strikeouts.  Jacob also became only the 5th pitcher to win three postseason games on the road.  He'll now attempt his fourth.

He and Matt Harvey both face a team that feasts on fastballs, and they'll be doing so in their park.   The two are uniquely qualified, however, in utilizing their secondary pitches and potentially thwarting Kansas City's aggressiveness at the plate.

Jacob deGrom followed up his ROY campaign with a 14-8 record, and a 2.54 ERA.  He posted a 9.7 K/9 average and an 0.979 WHiP, with 205 strikeouts in 191 innings.  He's 3-0 in the postseason with a 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHiP.  He has 27 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched for a 9.0 K/9 average.

Johnny Cueto is another whom should be no stranger to the Mets, after spending 7 1/2 years with the Cincinnati Reds.  

• Regular Season w/ Royals: 4-7 record with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.451 WHiP.  He fanned 56 batters in 81.1 innings for a 6.2 K/9 average.  He posted a 2.62 ERA in 130.2 innings with the Reds.
• Postseason: In three starts, he's 1-1 with a whopping 7.87 ERA.  He's allowed 14 earned runs on 15 hits and 7 walks, with 15 strikeouts.

Tomorrow's Preview: Games 3 and 4

Game Three @ Citi Field

• Yordano Ventura vs. Noah Syndergaard

Game Four @ Citi Field

• Chris Young vs. Steven Matz

You can read my World Series prediction for RisingApple.com - HERE.