World Series GameThread: New York Mets at Kansas City Royals - Game 1

The New York Mets won the NL East, took out the Los Angeles Dodgers and swept the Chicago Cubs to earn their spot in the 2015 Fall Classic, which starts tonight when they take on the Kansas City Royals in the series opener in Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals took the AL Central, won their ALDS matchup with the Houston Astros and then beat Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS to earn their second straight trip to the World Series.

Tonight in Kansas City, Matt Harvey and Edinson Volquez match up in Game 1.

Harvey, 26, was (13-8) in 29 regular seasons starts with a 2.71 ERA, a 3.05 FIP, 37 walks (1.76 BB/9), 188 Ks (8.94 K/9) and a .219/.265/.355 line against in 189 ⅓ innings pitched.

So far in the postseason. the Mets' 2010 1st Round pick is (2-0) with a 2.84 ERA and a .229/.302/.313 line against in 12 ⅔ innings.

He talked yesterday about the importance of getting the start in Game 1 and being on the mound in the World Series.

"I think for all of us, we're kind of sitting around the locker room all talking to each other, and I don't think anything has really set in for us yet, which in our minds I think is a positive," Harvey explained.

"We still realize that it's a baseball game. And for me this is another start. Obviously it's a start on a different level. It's still baseball, and we have to go out and do our jobs, one through nine in the lineup.

"And I think going into the clubhouse, going through our workouts, I think this group is very confident, very dedicated and very focused on our task at hand."

The Royals have been here before, though they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series last fall.

Volquez, 32, was (13-9) in 34 games and 33 starts this season, putting up a 3.55 ERA, a 3.82 FIP, 72 walks (3.23 BB/9), 155 Ks (6.96 K/9) and a .251/.320/.372 line against in 200 ⅓ innings.

In three postseason starts this year before tonight's, the veteran right-hander is (1-2) with 4.32 ERA and a .179/.333/.268 line against in 16 ⅔ IP.

Tonight's start is his first in a World Series as well, which he told reporters last night was exciting.

"For me it's a great honor to pitch in this game, especially pitching at home. It's a great feeling," Volquez said, though he added that he won't prepare for it any differently.

"It's another game. I don't have to do anything different than what I've been doing. I've got to stay focused in what you're doing, especially this game, because this is a World Series game.

"You don't have too many chances to make a lot of mistakes in those games. So I've got to stay under control and pitch [my] game."

The series opener starts at 8:00 PM EDT in Kansas City...

Volquez vs the Mets:

Harvey vs the Royals: