There might not be a lot of scoring in this game as Steven Matz (4-1, 2.58 ERA) and the New York Mets take on Chris Young (12-6, 3.00 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (104-72) in Game 4 of the World Series at Citi Field. Action begins at 8:07 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 31 and can be seen on FOX.
Matz pitched 4.2 innings in Game 4 of the League Championship Series, surrendering one run, striking out four and walking two in an 8-3 win over the Cubs. Yoenis Cespedes (.287, 108 Rs, 37 HRs, 113 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one RBI. Young went 3.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out four and walking one in a 5-4 win over the Mets in Game 1 of the World Series. Lorenzo Cain (.301, 110 Rs, 17 HRs, 79 RBIs, 31 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
New York is a -125 favorite against Kansas City and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Mets have recorded an overall money line of +596 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 72-34. Against the AL, they have a solid 7-5 record as the favorite but a 9-11 SU. The Mets have seen a decline in scoring against teams in the AL, averaging 3.3 runs per game. They average 4.2 runs per game on the season. The Mets are one of the best in the MLB in terms of extra base hits with 521. New York’s pitchers fall apart when American League teams are on the field. Its average runs allowed per game rises to 4.3 against AL teams, compared to its 3.8 season average. The Mets are the second-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.174 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Kansas City has a 37-30 record and an overall money line of +1,904. Kansas City has put in a mixed performance against teams in the NL, coming in with a nice record SU ({betdsi.at.nl.su_record}) but quite a few losses as the underdog (3-5). The Royals have a dynamic offense, ranking third in the league with 522 extra base hits. The Royals are an excellent base stealing team with 113 stolen bases, ranking fourth in the MLB. Kansas City’s pitching staff is one of the best in the AL at pitching on the road, with a 3.80 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Royals are fifth in the AL on the road with an average of 8.5 hits allowed per away game.
The Royals lead the season series, 2-1. The Mets have a 72-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Young takes the mound. Matz (LHP) will be on the hill against the Royals, who have a 31-26 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
The Mets are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Royals have a 55-51 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Royals are 16-61. The Mets have a 20-61 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Kansas City has hit 156 this season. New York ranks sixth with 194 home runs.
Ranking 12th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.35 per game. Kansas City ranks in the top five at second with 9.24.
Ranking 20th, New York is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.712). Kansas City ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .738.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, they are 46-56, well-matched with the Mets who are 45-55 when allowing at least one homer.
