Thor surprised he’s Royal pain

PORT ST. LUCIE — Noah Syndergaard knows he is not so popular in Kansas City. The Mets’ big righthander is OK with that, but he does not understand the reports of the Royals talking retaliation. “I kind of anticipated it a little bit. I don’t think they are too fond of me,” Syndergaard said Wednesday after he allowed t wo runs on four hits in three innings in the Mets’ 12-1 loss to the Nat iona l s at Tr ad ition Field. “As far as retaliation goes, I really don’t know what they are going to retaliate against. All I did was establish the inner part of the plate.

“I don’t know what this whole retaliation talk is all about ... but it’s going to be an interesting time.”

Syndergaard will start the second game of the season Tuesday. A report Tuesday said the Royals were planning to retaliate against the Mets because of the pitch Thor threw over the head of Royals’ leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar in the World Series.

Terry Collins said Wednesday morning he had absolutely no concern about the Royals retaliating. “None at all,” the Mets manager said. “Nothing to it.”

One front office source shrugged it off and asked: What’s the worst the Royals can do? “Are they going to hit one of our guys? So what, we move on,” he said. “As Shakespeare said: It’s much ado about nothing.”

The Royals were livid about the 98mph fastball that flew high over Escobar’s head. They complained to the media afte after the game that the pitch was dangerousdangero and irresponsible. And they hated Syndergaard’sSy response.

“If th they have a problem with me throwing inside,” Syndergaard said then, “then the they can meet me 60-feet, six-inches away. I’ve got no problem with that.”

When the front office source was asked if he had a problem with what Synderg Syndergaard did, he just laughed. “We won that game, didn’t we?” he said with smirk. “Do they think they can rattle Syndergaard? Maybe they do, but I don’t think they can.”

Neither does Syndergaard.