KC Royals, Detroit Tigers to play prior to College World Series
By David Hill
The Detroit Tigers and the KC Royals are slated to play a game in Omaha before the College World Series in 2019. Given their recent performances, the tournament may have better action.
It just seems that it would make sense for Major League Baseball to have a game prior to the College World Series. After all, there is a game during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA, with the Mets and the Phillies participating in that event this season. Even though it is the second year, this pairing makes a great deal of sense.
Now, that game is coming to the college ranks as well. Next year, prior to the start of the 2019 College World Series, the KC Royals and Detroit Tigers will play a game in Omaha. Afterwards, the college teams will face off, looking for that championship.
The @Royals and @tigers will play a regular season game in Omaha, Nebraska on Thursday, June 13, 2019 leading into the 2019 College World Series. The first MLB game ever played in Nebraska will be televised nationally by ESPN and played at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) June 21, 2018
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To be fair, MLB could not have picked two better teams to play prior to the start of the CWS. After all, the Tigers had the first overall pick this season, using that selection to draft Casey Mize. The Royals, meanwhile, currently hold the second worst record in the game, and have already begun selling off their pieces. Kelvin Herrera and Jon Jay have already left Kansas City, with other players likely to follow. They may well have the first overall next season, and could get a close look at one of their draft picks.
It will also be an interesting contrast in watching those games. The Royals have just begun their rebuild, while the Tigers are in the midst of theirs. Although Detroit is playing better than expected, both teams could have a few players that are of a comparable age as the players in the CWS.
This is also a chance for fans of those teams to potentially see some of the players that could be a part of the future core. It may take a couple of years, but these players may well be a part of the a key part of a return to the glory days.
Next: Royals on the trade block
Next year, the KC Royals and Detroit Tigers will kick off the College World Series. Considering the state of those franchises, it is the perfect place for them to face off.