The year was 1985. The only two Major League Baseball teams remaining were those in the state of Missouri. The St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals were squaring off for the first time ever, and the drama couldn't be higher in this World Series.

With the Cardinals leading the series three games to two, and 1-0 in the ninth inning of Game 6, it looked to be over. Umpire Don Denkinger later infamously missed the call at first base in the ninth inning, and the Royals went on to win the game, 2-1. The Royals would dominate Game 7 (11-0) thus winning the 1985 World Series.

Since then, this intrastate rivalry has been as good as any interleague rivalry in the game. The I-70 series hasn't disappointed one bit. The Cardinals have had a huge edge in postseason success making it to the World Series five times, while the Royals have made just one playoff appearance in that time span. However, it was the Royals who were in the big game last year. Could we possibly see these two teams collide in this year's World Series?

The Royals made their first postseason appearance last year since 1985, but lost to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. That defeat hasn't halted their success whatsoever. In fact, the Royals look even better this year. The Royals were a wild card team last year after the Detroit Tigers won the AL Central, but currently have a commanding 11-game lead in the division over the Minnesota Twins.

The Royals rank in the top 10 in both runs scored and runs allowed creating a great balance.

At the trade deadline, the Royals weren't quiet. They made a huge addition by trading for Dominican pitcher Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. In Cueto's last outing he pitching a complete game shutout against the Tigers. His signature shake pitch is confusing opposing batters.

For the Royals, the division is all but wrapped up. At this point the Royals primary goal is to get home-field advantage for the playoffs. The Royals presently have the best record in the American League with 68 wins, four more than any other AL team.

As for the best record in the entire league, the St. Louis Cardinals hold that title at the moment. The Cardinals are 73-41, and are trying to make the postseason for the fifth consecutive year. Although the Cardinals have had far more success than the Royals over the years in the postseason, their fans still remember what happened in 1985. Avenging that loss to their in-state rival would mean the world to them.

This season the Cardinals are 4-2 against the Royals.

It appears as if they can do no wrong as they rank No. 1 overall in team ERA, even ahead of the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates. Dominican pitcher Carlos Martínez has been fantastic this season with a 2.62 ERA. More than likely the Cardinals will have to go through the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that shouldn't pose a huge problem. No team has owned Clayton Kershaw in the postseason like the Cardinals have.

The Toronto Blue Jays are on fire, the New York Yankees are in the picture, and the Giants will be defending their title, but this World Series may revolve around two teams that are separated by less than 250 miles. The last time two teams faced off in the World Series from the same state was in 2000, when the Yankees and Mets played each other.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1