As the New York Mets look for their next general manager http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-chad-pinder-jersey , they have narrowed the search down to two candidates: agentBrodie Van Wagenen and Tampa Bay Rays executive Chaim Bloom.Per Andy Martino of SNY.tv,Van Wagenen is in "very strong position" to win the job, but Bloom remains in the running.The Athletic'sKenRosenthalalso noted that his "sense" is the Mets will go withVanWagenen.Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported Van Wagenen is the "significant favorite" and that the job is "his if he wants it."Anthony DiComo of MLB.com recently broke down the list of finalists:Longtime MLB general manager Doug Melvin was eliminated from the race Thursday, according toNewsday'sTimHealey, making it a two-person field.While other candidates have experience working in front offices around baseball, VanWagenenis the co-head of the baseball division atCAASports. He represents high-profile Mets such asJacobdeGrom,NoahSyndergaard,YoenisCespedesand Todd Frazier.New York may view the 44-year-oldVanWagenenas a qualified candidate, but others believe including an agent in the process could create a conflict of interest.Agent ScottBorastoldMike Pumaof theNew York Postearlier this week he has previously passed up opportunities to avoid any potential issues:"TheBorasCorporation stands for a total commitment to players, and while I have been offered many opportunities with teams, I would never violate the trust that I have with any player, and that is very important to what I do. I am an attorney, and I want [players] to tell me everything, and a lot of these things are confidential, they are personal Brett Anderson Jersey , and if I went to work for a different employer, I would have to divulge all that information because I have to do my job for that other employer I made a commitment to."VanWagenendownplayed any concerns, per Puma:"In my role as an agent, my solution is to create opportunities for players to be successful both on and off the field. By creating partnerships between players and teams, the interests of all parties can be aligned. If the players are able to reach their peak potential, the fans will be rewarded with a competitive team that can contend for championships year in and year out. The clubs benefit with compelling, sustainable and profitable entertainment franchises; and the players are rewarded with a platform to realize their childhood dreams while receiving compensation consistent with their tremendous talents."My conversations with the Mets continue to be organic. I believe baseball is better when the Mets are competitive and successful. That success is better for the fans, players and the economy of the sport. As Jeff and Fred [Wilpon] continue their search for a new head of baseball operations, the players, fans and entire organization will be motivated to have a leader with the skills and commitment to win. If theWilponsbelieve I am that person, we will have that conversation."According toUSA Today'sGabeLacques, VanWagenenraised the question of collusion by teams last offseason and threatened a player boycott of spring training.Meanwhile, there are no such concerns with Bloom. The 35-year-old has spent the last 14 years within the Tampa Bay Rays organization, working his way from intern tosenior vice president of baseball operations. His most recent roles included being involved inplayer development, scouting and trade negotiations Blake Treinen Jersey , according to the Rays'official website.A decision is not expected until Monday at the earliest. Omar Rawlings/Getty ImagesAs the ALCS and NLCS wind down, it's hard not to imagine what the 2018 World Series might look like when it begins Tuesday night.As of right now, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox are on track to advance to the Fall Classic, but the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros could come from behind to win their respective series.With both series reaching their conclusions, the World Series pitching rotation for each team is starting to look clearer.Among the potential World Series pitching matchups are a showdown of aces, a clash of managerial styles and a whole other group of possibilities that would have baseball fans salivating in anticipation. 2018 World Series ScheduleGame 1:Tuesday, October 23 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 2:Wednesday, October 24 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 3:Friday, October 26 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 4:Saturday, October 27 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 5:Sunday, October 28 (Time TBD http://www.athleticsfanproshop.com/authentic-chris-hatcher-jersey , Fox)Game 6:Tuesday, October 30 (Time TBD, Fox)Game 7:Wednesday, October 31 (Time TBD, Fox) Potential Pitching MatchupsChris Sale vs. Clayton KershawIf the Dodgers return to the World Series, Clayton Kershaw would be their ideal Game 1 starter.Kershaw just threw in Game 5 of the NLCS, so if he makes an appearance in Game 6 or 7 it would have to be a brief one with the World Series opener in the back of everyone's minds.The Los Angeles left-hander has given up five earned runs over 18 innings in the 2018 postseason and he's struck out 14 batters in starts against Atlanta and Milwaukee.Last year in the World Series, Kershaw made three appearances, two of which were starts in Games 1 and 5.Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesGiven the flexibility of the Dodgers' rotation, Kershaw could be set for a duel of baseball's top left-handers later in a series against the Boston Red Sox.Chris Sale is expected to start Game 6 if the Red Sox have to go back to Boston to finish off the ALCS, which means he wouldn't be ready to go for Game 1 of the World Series Tuesday.A more likely scenario for a Sale-Kershaw showdown would feature them going head-to-head in Game 5, with Sale throwing on one less day of rest.A Game 2 start in the World Series would differ from what Sale is used to, as he took the mound for Game 1 of the three playoff series he's participated in as a member of the Red Sox.Since giving up seven earned runs in Game 1 of the 2017 ALDS against Houston, Sale's conceded six earned runs in 15 postseason innings.The hype alone for the clash between Sale and Kershaw would be massiveand, based off their recent playoff performances Sean Manaea Jersey , the southpaw showdown would deliver in quality.Justin Verlander vs. Milwaukee's BullpenThe emergence of Milwaukee's pitching strategy is one of the most intriguing stories of the 2018 postseason.Manager Craig Counsell has relied on his bullpen for the majority of the NLCS, and he caught headlines in Game 5when he used Wade Miley to pitch against one batter before calling on his relievers to do the rest of the work on the mound.Since Counsell isn't expected to change his approach if the Brewers advance to the World Series, it will bring about a clash of styles against either the Astros or Red Sox.The ultimate strategical difference would come against the Astros and Justin Verlander, who hasn't given up more than three earned runs in his last 12 postseason starts.Tim Bradbury/Getty ImagesVerlander should add to that streak in Game 5 of the ALCS, as he attempts to keep Houston alive in its attempt to get back to the World Series.If Verlander takes on the Brewers, he would most likely oppose three or four different pitchers, beginning with whichever hurler Counsell relies on to start the game.It's an intriguing matchup that pits conventional pitching wisdom against a new idea that's gaining traction, and it would be the talk of the national audience, especially among those who haven't paid close attention to the new bullpen-first approaches used across baseball.Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90.Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference.