World Series battle of the bats begins tomorrow

After 2,430 regular season games and 31 postseason playoff games, Major League Baseball’s 30 teams have been narrowed down to two: the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals. They’ll meet in Game 1 of the World Series tomorrow night in Kansas City.

Though the Royals made it to the World Series last year, neither team has won the Fall Classic since the 1980s. The Mets lost to the New York Yankees in 2000 in what was dubbed the Subway Series.

Going into the best-of-seven series, the Royals have the more balanced offense. Players like Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, and Alcides Escobar rarely strike out. The Royals put the ball in play more than anyone, and they feed on power pitchers like those on the Mets.

But the Mets have Daniel Murphy, who has earned the nickname “Babe Ruth Murphy” after hitting seven home runs in 38 at-bats this postseason. He set a record with homers in six straight games.

Back in March, even before the season began, a reporter asked Murphy about his views on homosexuality and whether a homosexual player would be accepted on the team. He answered directly, according to his Christian beliefs, saying he disagreed with the lifestyle “100 percent.” The Mets came out later and said Murphy would not be talking about his faith anymore; he’d stick to baseball. Despite the rough start to the year, Murphy has enraptured fans with his success, and teammates say he is always positive.

Mets manager Terry Collins has taken full advantage of the extra rest his players got by wrapping up the National League Championship Series in just four games. Collins scheduled his pitchers just as he wanted them. All four of the Mets’ starters—Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Steven Matz—can throw faster than 95 mph, the best in the league.

The Royals have some strong pitchers with Yordano Ventura and Wade Davis, but it’s up-in-the-air whether anyone can stop Daniel Murphy right now.

Game 1 airs Tuesday night at 8:07 p.m. on Fox.

Listen to Andrew Branch’s World Series preview on The World and Everything in It.