Rant #1,539: A Royal Welcome

Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals for winning the American League pennant for the second year in a row.

They somehow outlasted the team that I picked for the American League representative for the World Series, the Toronto Blue Jays, in as an exciting six game series as you would ever want to see.

The Royals will now face the New York Mets in the World Series.

It is the first World Series ever to pit two expansion era teams head to head, and that is really saying something, since the World Series dates back more than 100 years, and the expansion era began in 1961.

Prior to 1961, there were eight teams in each league, and by 1962, there were 10 teams in each league. The Mets began play in 1962, as did the then-National League Houston Colt 45s, who are now the American League Houston Astros.

The Royals came around in 1969, several years after the original Kansas City team, the Athletics, moved to Oakland. They were joined by the Seattle Pilots, later renamed the Mariners, in the class.

And here is another little footnote to the World Series that you might not know: the Kansas City Royals are another team from Missouri; they are not from Kansas.

Anyway, two pretty good teams will be competing in the World Series this season, and I was right about the Mets, wrong about the Royals.

But I will make up for that by stating that the Royals will win the World Series.

They were in it last year, came thisclose to beating the San Francisco Giants, but they fell short.

Not this season.

Although the Mets have the clear edge in starting pitching, I don't think the Mets can compete in any other area with the Royals, from overall hitting to defense to relief pitching.

Of course, in a series like this, anything can happen, and probably, will happen.

But I just think that at least on paper, the Royals have the clear, overall edge.

These appear to be two teams on a clear mission to bring back the trophy to their respective cities after a lapse of many years, and I think that you can't count out either team.

I don't think the Royals are the clear favorite over the Mets, but I think the Royals will win this battle.

But I could be wrong.

The Mets' starting pitching could wipe out the Royals' hitting right out of the gate, and make whatever I am saying moot points.

But I just don't think that is going to happen.

I think the Royals will single, double and triple the Mets into submission. They take a lot of pitches, too, so they will wear down the Mets' staff.

And once they get into the Mets' bullpen, I think the Royals will exploit that weakness into a personal gain for them.

But again, I could be wrong.

Whatever happens, it begins on Tuesday, and should be an excellent series, no matter how long it goes.

MLB hopes it goes seven games.

I think it will go six games, with the Royals winning 4-2.

It all begins in Kansas City, and the Royals have home field advantage, which could be to their advantage, too.

Let's see what plays out.