The Mets so far this postseason seem to be running almost at free will. The team has swiped a total of nine bases thus far and have shown themselves to be much more aggressive on the basepaths than we saw in the regular season.
It is worth noting that seven out of those nine stolen bases have come against the Chicago Cubs. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the Mets will not pursue the same aggressive strategy against the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.
“We went in there knowing that teams stole bases against the Chicago Cubs,” manager Terry Collins said. “So we picked out three or four guys that have the ability to steal bases, that if you get on, you get a green light.”
Curtis Granderson has swiped four bases so far this postseason, three of which came against the Chicago Cubs. The Grandy Man led the team overall in stolen bases over the course of the season with just 11.
There was a telling stat as to why the Mets attempted to take so many extra bases against the Cubs, as they ranked 29th in the league in caught-stealing percentage. On the other hand though, the Mets ranked 29th this year in stolen bases.
The Royals ranked 14th in caught-stealing percentage. Not elite, writes DiComo, but certainly good enough to give a team that runs as rarely as the Mets pause.
We now head to Kansas City where the Mets are going to need to play near perfect fundamental baseball. This team can not give up outs. The Royals play almost perfect fundamental baseball and don’t seem to cheat themselves in anyway.
That being said though, Royals catcher, Salvador Perez had allowed the second most stolen bases in the American League this year with 66. But he was also second in the league with the amount of runners he caught stealing at 29.
This is sure to be one great Fall Classic, and we only have one more day to go. First pitch is Tuesday night at 8:07 PM.
