The Royals won the World Series with better timely hitting. With no one on base, the Mets posted a .171/.230/.264 slash line, the Royals .200/.246/.296. With runners in scoring position, the Mets went .179/.229/.179, while the Royals were .347/.407/.469. Kansas City hitters 1-9 were focused on putting the ball in play when they had a chance to score, and that and some iffy defense by the Mets helped secure a five-game win.

Interestingly enough, the player who didn’t fit the mold, Salvador Perez, won the MVP of the series. He hit .364/.391/.455, but went 6 for 12 with the bases empty and 2 for 10 with men on base, 1 for 5 with men in scoring position. Someone had to prime the pump, and Perez did just that.