World Series Game 2 betting preview: Mets at Royals
New York Mets at Kansas City Royals (+117, 7.5)
Royals lead series 1-0
The Kansas City Royals won a marathon 14-inning affair in the World Series opener and look to take a 2-0 lead when they host the New York Mets on Wednesday. Eric Hosmer's sacrifice fly ended a 5-hour, 9-minute classic as the Royals delivered a 5-4 victory.
Hosmer recorded two RBIs to raise his postseason career total to 25, eclipsing the franchise record he shared with the legendary George Brett (23). Alex Gordon smacked a one-out, ninth-inning homer to forge a tie and an error by New York third baseman David Wright opened the door in the 14th for Hosmer's fly to right that plated Alcides Escobar. "I wanted to redeem myself for what happened earlier," Hosmer said, referring to an eighth-inning error he committed that gave New York a 4-3 lead. "That's the beauty of this game. Always get a chance to redeem yourself and can't thank my teammates enough." New York will be seeking redemption of its own in Game 2 after shut-down closer Jeurys Familia allowed his first run of the postseason by serving up Gordon's tying blast.
TV: 8:07 p.m. ET, FOX
LINE HISTORY: The Royals have opened Game 2 as slight +106 home dogs, but have quickly moved to +117. The total went on the board at 7.0 runs, but that has also moved to 7.5.
WEATHER REPORT: The forecast for Game 2 is looking much better than it was before game 1. It's expected to be a clear night with temperatures in the low 50's. There will be a moderate 7-10 mile per hour wind blowing out to the right field corner.
UMPIRE REPORT: Mark Carlson will be the man calling balls and strikes in Game 2. Home teams went 13-18 and the totals went 16-12-3 O/U in the 31 games he was behind home plate this season. Carlson's strike percentage comes in at 63.8 percent. The road team is 6-0 in Carlson's last six interleague games behind home plate.
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "After going 14 innings last night these two teams get right back at it tonight. The Mets send Jacob Degrom to the mound with the Royals countering with trade deadline acquisition Johnny Cueto. We opened Mets at -113 on the moneyline and it has quickly been bet down to -125 with 77 percent of the action backing the Mets. The total opened at 7 runs and with some sharp action coming in on the over we went to 7.5 where we are seeing good two way action with just over 50 percent backing the over." - Michael Stewart of CarbonSports
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Royals RH Johnny Cueto (1-1, 7.88)
The 27-year-old deGrom was passed over for the Game 1 start in favor of an extra day of rest as manager Terry Collins noticed he needed more time. "For me, that is that release point, that consistent release point you have to make the pitches," Collins explained during his press conference. "If you start to get a little fatigued, that hand just doesn't catch up sometimes. That's why we wanted to give him an extra day, because the last time we pushed him back a little bit, he came out throwing great." The well-rested deGrom has struck out 27 and allowed just 15 hits in 20 postseason innings.
Cueto was a major disappointment for the Royals in the regular season and gave up eight runs in two-plus innings while losing his lone American League Championship Series start against Toronto. He has an eye on cashing in as a free agent after the season and repeatedly has said he was going to be the "real Johnny Cueto" during the postseason. "My ups and downs have been - it's just part of the game," Cueto said at a press conference. "I've pitched some good games as well. Obviously, the year is not over. And all I'm focused on is trying to go out and help this team win."
TRENDS:
* Mets are 7-0 in deGrom's last seven road starts versus a team with a winning record.
* Royals are 6-0 in their last six home playoff games.
* Under is 4-0 in deGrom's last four starts overall.
* Over is 7-0 in Cueto's last seven home starts.
SERIES PRICE: The Royals have gone from slight -102 dogs to win the series to the -200 favorite after taking Game 1. The Mets are now the +170 dogs.
hno: Does this mean I won't be able to take plus money in the remaining games? puff_>>[/QUOTE]
