Cards broadcaster Shannon excited to watch WS

ST. LOUIS -- Mike Shannon won't be calling the Cardinals in the World Series again this year, but he will be tuned in.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said a few hours before the Mets and Royals meet in Game 1. "It's going to be a very good World Series."

The lifelong St. Louisan, who just wrapped up his 44th season in the Cardinals' radio booth, described the Mets as a much-improved team over the one he saw face the Cardinals earlier this season. The Cardinals went 4-3 against New York, but played all those games before the Mets went all-in at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

"The Mets' pitching is outstanding," Shannon said. "Kansas City is going to have to stop them from scoring in the first inning. If they can, they'll have an advantage. Otherwise, the Mets' pitching is so good it could carry the team."

The Mets enter the World Series having scored in the first inning in each of their last five postseason games and never trailed during a National League Championship Series sweep of the Cubs. Shannon said he doesn't expect such a lopsided Fall Classic result.

"The Royals are such a persistent team, and they do so many things properly -- run the bases, bunt, steal bases, hit-and-run," said Shannon, who watched Kansas City go 2-4 against St. Louis this year. "They do all of those small things that win you ballgames, and they're going to have to keep doing them well to be able to capitalize against good pitching."