The New York Mets will play host to the Royals the next games as both teams look to salvage what’s been a disappointing first half of the season. For the Mets, though, it’s even worse, as the team entered the year with quite a lofty payroll to go with those World Series aspirations. Instead, heading into this evening’s match-up, the Mets find themselves not only last in the National League East but with the second-worst record in the entire N.L.
This despite the Major’s second highest payroll, coming
in at $369 million, behind only the Dodgers. Heck, the Mets are even outspending their New York brethren by a good $35 million. That money should be worth more than a 38-53 record between two different managers, but alas: baseball.
Kansas City Royals (37-54) at New York Mets (38-53) at Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Royals: 4.22 runs scored/game (20th in MLB), 5.00 runs allowed/game (24th in MLB)
Mets: 4.05 runs scored/game (27th in MLB), 4.71 runs allowed/game (19th in MLB)
Juan Soto remains one of the game’s biggest stars as he leads the National League in on-base percentage (.414), slugging percentage (.570), and, naturally, OPS (.984). He’s homered 19 times while driving in 46 runs and scoring 41 times. He’s been worth 3.1 bWAR, far and away the best of the Mets. His mates in the outfield are also posting solid numbers with A.J. Ewing in center slashing .259/.342/.400 and the team’s right fielder, Carson Benge, slashing .258/.316/.405. Bo Bichette came over from Toronto in the offseason for a massive contract, but he’s struggled so far, posting an OPS eight percent below league average, though he is tied with Benge for the team lead in runs scored (47). Brett Baty is already 26, if you can believe it, and he still hasn’t panned out. His OPS has dropped from .748 in 2025 to .601 this season. Yikes. Francisco Lindor is having the worst season of his career as he’s slashing an abysmal .216/.300/.366 for a .666 OPS [makes sign of the cross].
While the Mets have yet to name a starting pitcher for tonight, it looks like it could be 33-year-old Kodai Senga, who is not pitching very well as evidence by his nearly 9 ERA and nearly 7 FIP. Fangraphs predicts righty Christian Scott to take the mound tomorrow night followed by once-upon-a-time-Royals-farmhand Sean Manaea for Thursday’s matinee finale. Scott’s been fine though he averages less than five-innings-per-outing. Manaea, already 34, would be making just his sixth start of the season. He’s thrown 68 innings to the tune of a 5.18 ERA and 4.01 FIP.
As so often is the case with bad teams, the Mets have a bad bullpen. Devin Williams, the team’s closer, such as it is, isn’t getting many opportunities to do his job, and when he does, doesn’t exactly do it smoothly. Luke Weaver, briefly a Royal, is the bullpen’s shining star as he continues to reshape his career as a New York reliever. If David Stearns, the team’s front office honcho, decides to sell this July, he could get back a nice haul in exchange for Weaver. Teams usually overpay for those types of dudes.
Let’s see if the Royals can keep it going after taking the last two against the Phillies, including trouncing them yesterday, 15-1. Seth Lugo takes the ball tonight followed by Stephen Kolek and Michael Wacha. Taking two series right before the All-Star Break would be a nice little somethin’-somethin’ to give the fans.
