New York at Kansas City

Kansas City is a home dog for Game 1 of the World Series -- their second straight year as AL Champs, so this team is not a fluke. New York is four games over .500 for the season on the road. You have to wonder about New York ace Matt Harvey, who will take the ball on nine days of rest. The Mets are 2-5 in interleague games, plus 2-6 in interleague road games. Kansas City has a strong offense that is great at putting the baseball in play, along with speed on the base paths. The Royals are on a 5-0 run at home and 25-8 in interleague games vs. a right-handed starter. Edinson Volquez is a veteran and picked up his first career postseason win when he held the Blue Jays' top-ranked offense scoreless over six innings in Game 1 of the ALCS. The Royals are 20-8 when Volquez starts on grass, plus 5-0 in his last five interleague starts. Royals SS Alcides Escobar has hit safely in 10 straight games and was named ALCS MVP leading a team on a 12-4 run. K.C. has great defense in the field and a deep, hard throwing pen, if needed. Play Kansas City in Game 1.