The New York Mets know they aren't clinching the World Series at home this year, but if they can find a way to take down Game 4 against the Kansas City Royals, they can ensure a trip back to Kauffman Stadium next week and make the Fall Classic a best-of-three situation.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Mets have been favored every step of the way here in the World Series, and Game 4 is no exception. They're set at -125 for Saturday's showdown, a number which actually gives Kansas City about as much respect as it has gotten all series long.
Keep in mind that all three games have gone past the total, and that's why the number to beat in Game 4 has eked up to 7.5.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Chris Young already has one win in this series from Game 1, and he'll be back on the mound in Game 4 in a regular starting role. The fact that the vet threw 53 pitches four days ago concerns us just a bit, especially after the long night the Royals had last night in their bullpen.
That said, Young was stellar in his three frames in extra innings in Game 1, stifling Mets hitters and allowing just one walk without a hit or a run surrendered in pressure-packed frames.
Steven Matz has become a household name here in the playoffs, but it's easy to forget this is just his ninth big league start. He only lasted 4.2 innings against the Cubs in the NLCS in his one start, but he only allowed one run and left his team in a position to get a win to help setup the sweep. He'll again be relying on a big fastball in this game, but considering the fact that he hasn't thrown even 95 pitches in a game since September 18, we can't imagine he's long for this game.
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Mets have done a much better job managing their bullpen in these games than Kansas City has. Kelvin Herrera has pitched a ton and has looked shaky every time he's been out there, and that really limits what Ned Yost can be comfortable with if Young can't get very deep in this one.
Meanwhile, Jeurys Familia had an easy ninth inning in Game 3 and is clearly ready to get going again on Saturday if need be. The fact that both Bartolo Colon and Jonathon Niese didn't have to pitch on Friday will help, though it should be noted that both were warming up in the pen when Noah Syndergaard was struggling.
PROP BETTING
El Capitan has finally woken up. It's been a struggle in this series for the Mets offensively, but thanks to a four-RBI night by David Wright, they exploded for nine runs on Friday. If Wright can put the head of the bat on the ball against Young, we suspect he'll at least put through a couple more hits in this one.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We left the Mets for dead coming into Game 3, but now that they've gotten their bats back in order, they've got a real shot to make this the series we all thought it was going to be originally.
That said, we have more confidence in the veteran, Young than the rookie, Matz in this spot. Matz might be all fine and dandy for four or five innings, but asking New York to get through 12 or 15 outs against these Royals is just going to be too much. Remember that Kansas City, for all that went wrong in Game 3, still scored three runs, and that might be enough to win on a night like this.
The under is going to come in at some point as well, and this could be the night where that happens.
Kansas City 3, New York 2
The MLB lines for this Saturday contest were first released by BookMaker Sportsbook. The New York Mets were lined at -125 favorites along with a total of 7.5. Gamble on the game between every half inning with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen in the next at-bat or how many runs will be scored in the next inning. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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