Royals Meet the Mets in Fall Classic
October 27, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The date of Oct. 27 marks a special date in both the American League and National League clubs representing the Major League in the 111th Fall Classic. On the 27th of October, 1985, the Kansas City Royals polished off a 3-games-to-1 deficit against the St. Louis Cardinals to win Game 7 on this historic date. The New York Mets, on the same day a year later in 1986, defeated the Boston Red Sox in an improbable World Series triumph in Game 7. Those were the last World Series titles for both clubs: 30 and 29 years ago, respectively.
Needless to say, this date has a strong, nostalgic feeling attached to the fan base and both organizations. Tonight, it will add even more sentiment as the Royals and the Mets meet in the 2015 World Series for Game 1 tonight at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
These two teams did not meet during the regular season and have not countered since 2013. For what it's worth: the Royals hold a 5-4 record in nine total meetings against the New York Mets playing three times in 2013, 2004 and 2002. But with the intricate scouting of today's game, it is easy to say that the Royals know as much as possible about the Mets and vice versa in preparation of tonight's game.
Kansas City is looking to avenge a World Series defeat from 2014 while the Mets have not been to the Fall Classic since 2000 when the "Big Apple" raved over the "Subway Series."
The Royals bring World Series experience with a total of 11 players on the current roster that played in the last season's Fall Classic. With those 11, Kansas City also has Ben Zobrist who played in the 2008 World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays along with veteran Kendrys Morales.
New York has the opposite. Four starting pitcher - Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz - who hold a combined average age of just under 25 years old with no pitcher older than 27. All three have zero World Series experience. But the bats of the Mets are different relaying on the older presence of team-leader David Wright along with savvy outfielders Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer with Granderson having played in the 2006 World Series with the Detroit Tigers.
The Royals added another headline to the World Series tabloids today adding 2015 Naturals' shortstop, Raul Mondesi, to the 40-man roster and World Series roster. Mondesi played in 81 games for Northwest Arkansas this season batting .243 with six home runs, 33 RBI and 19 for 25 in stolen bases. Mondesi belted a clutch 2-run home run to tie Game 1 of the Texas League Division Series against Arkansas in the bottom of the eighth inning, tying the game 3-3 in an eventual 4-3 win over the Travelers.
Mondesi has the potential to become the first player in Major League history to make his Major League debut in a World Series. The 20-year old Los Angeles native is rated as the top prospect in the Royals system by Baseball America.
Below is a list of the former Naturals that are on the current 25-man playoff roster:
Pitchers:
LHP Danny Duffy - 2010 and rehabbed in 2013
RHP Kelvin Herrera - 2011 and rehabbed in 2013
RHP Kris Medlen - rehab during 2015 season with Northwest Arkansas
RHP Yordano Ventura - 2012-2013
Catchers:
C Salvador Perez - 2011
Infielders:
2B/SS/3B Christian Colon - 2011-12, 2014
1B Eric Hosmer - 2010
3B Mike Moustakas - 2010
SS Raul Mondesi - 2015
Outfielders:
OF Jarrod Dyson - 2009-2010
OF Lorenzo Cain - rehab during the 2012 season with Northwest Arkansas
LF Alex Gordon - rehab during 2009 season with Northwest Arkansas
OF Paulo Orlando - 2010-2012
Probables for 111th World Series vs. the New York Mets
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015 Game 1: RHP Edison Volquez (13-9, 3.55) vs. RHP Matt Harvey (13-8, 2.71)
Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015 Game 2: RHP Johnny Cueto (11-13, 3.44) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54)
Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Friday, Oct. 30, 2015 Game 3: RHP Yordano Ventura (13-8, 4.08) vs. RHP RHP Noah Syndergaard (9-7, 3.24)
Game at Citi Stadium in Queens, NY. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015 Game 4: RHP Chris Young (11-6, 3.06) vs. LHP Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27)
Game at Citi Stadium in Queens, NY. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 Game 5 (if necessary): TBA vs. TBA
Game at Citi Stadium in Queens, NY. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 Game 6 (if necessary): TBA vs. TBA
Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015 Game 7 (if necessary): TBA vs. TBA
Game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. - First pitch, 7:00 p.m. CST
Use the hashtag #CrowntoCrown to follow the former Naturals during Kansas City's run to the World Series on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook throughout the postseason.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to action on Thursday, April 7, 2016 when they host the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers, to begin Season Nine of Naturals Baseball at Arvest Ballpark.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and off-season information.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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Texas League Stories from October 27, 2015
- Royals Meet the Mets in Fall Classic - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
