IGT, KCR@NYM, 2026-07-09

[Edgy MD]

The Mets, winners of three of their last four games, put this modest success to a modest test against 13-year vet and 2020 Met Michael Wacha.  Sean Manaea defends for the home team in a 1:10 PM series finale.

Day game series finales tend to be opportunities to do funky things with the lineup.  Polanco presumably tied to the DH role limits their options, but don't be surprised if Andy Green does something that surprises you.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'll try not to be surprised when I'm surprised.

[Edgy MD]

I'd be surprised if you were, since the only jiggering of the lineup comes from Green giving Polanco the DGaaNG treatment.

Amazingly, yesterday, two separate key plays pivoted on Polanco having more wheels than anybody had reason to expect.  He kind of deserves the day off, even as a DH.

KANSAS CITY

Starting Pitcherino

Michael Wacha RHP 5-6, 3.45 ERA, 91 SO

Lineup

1. Lane Thomas (R) CF
2. Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
3. Salvador Perez (R) 1B
4. Starling Marte (R) DH
5. Nick Loftin (R) 3B
6. Jac Caglianone (L) RF
7. Isaac Collins (S) LF
8. Tyler Tolbert (R) 2B
9. Luke Maile (R) C

METS

Starting Pitcherino

Sean Manaea LHP 1-4, 4.76 ERA, 68 SO

Lineup

1. A.J. Ewing (L) CF
2. Juan Soto (L) LF
3. Bo Bichette (R) SS
4. Carson Benge (L) RF
5. Francisco Alvarez (R) DH
6. Jared Young (L) 1B
7. Mark Vientos (R) 3B
8. Brett Baty (L) 2B
9. Luis Torrens (R) C

[Brock Beauchamp]

	SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	TOT
Xzavion Curry	0	0	0	0	22	22
Tobias Myers	0	0	0	0	39	39
Luke Weaver	0	16	19	0	0	35
Kodai Senga	0	0	0	61	0	61
Huascar Brazobán	0	20	0	37	0	57
Devin Williams	0	22	30	0	0	52
Cionel Pérez	0	0	16	14	0	30
Brooks Raley	0	8	3	0	11	22
A.J. Minter	0	0	16	13	0	29

 

[ashie62]

Beautiful day for a Gaydame! It's not really part of our lexicon anymore but I am trying to hail Fman, he just knows to look for the light

[ashie62]

Lane Thomas deposits the first pitch of the game for a homerun

[Edgy MD]

Two quick outs, but unfortunately that first pitch came first.

[Edgy MD]

Schmarte should know better than to run on Torrens.

[ashie62]

Brain farte

[Edgy MD]

Bo Bichette hit a bouncer bringing the firstbaseman way off the bag, to virtually the same spot Starling Marte just hit his.

Marte was safe, and it wasn't particularly close.  Bichette was out, and it wasn't close at all.

[ashie62]

Gary said something about lefties having a longer route to the bag, maybe?

[ashie62]

Happy Birthday RBI buddy!!

[Edgy MD]

I think Vientos' season just ended.

[Edgy MD]

As oft happens with HbP injuries, he's staying in to run, but when that adrenaline relaxes and the welt swells, he'll likely be gone in an inning or two.

[Edgy MD]

Torrens didn't get a swing in.

[Edgy MD]

Hey, not only is Vientos out, Ewing is on the infield!

[ashie62]

Geez, just let Manaea throw some innings here

 

[Edgy MD]

I like Soto getting a ball-four called a strike, and rather than challenge it, thought that he is dangerous enough with a 3-1 count and passed on the challenge.

He walked anyhow, which was probably still the most likely outcome.  Sadly, Boba GiDP'd.

Also, the fact that Ewing is making his infield reveals pretty clearly that this is one of those days that they are implicitly committed to keeping Lindor on the bench, come what may.

And the Royals recapture the lead.

[ashie62]

And Gary talks up With Jr right through the homerun trot

[ashie62]

Whatever is or is not going on with Lindor and the Mets is personally difficult for me to watch everyday 

This Mets team is so bad that I have trouble distinguishing between what is just an injury plagued non productive season for Lindor or something deeper 

[Edgy MD]

Weird pickoff.

Beats the type where the firstbaseman isn't there.

[Edgy MD]

7 minutes ago, ashie62 said:

Whatever is or is not going on with Lindor and the Mets is personally difficult for me to watch everyday 

It's just a guy recently reactivated from a long period on the IL who is being given a controlled workload.

It's not optimal but it's no mystery.

[Edgy MD]

Tyrone is doing a good supersub act.

[seawolf17]

1 minute ago, Edgy MD said:

Tyrone is doing a good supersub act.

Auditioning for his role as "Key Trade Deadline Acquisition For the Houston Astros Or Whoever."

[ashie62]

Gotta get runs here, you just have to

[Edgy MD]

Soto is going to get a serious pitcharound.

[seawolf17]

Very Metsy for Vientos to get hurt right before the trade deadline, by the way.

[ashie62]

That looked very similar to Benge's LL Homer

[Edgy MD]

I was kind of hoping Bichette would strike out so he wouldn't hit into a double play, and rob Benge of his crack.

[Edgy MD]

2 minutes ago, seawolf17 said:

Very Metsy for Vientos to get hurt right before the trade deadline, by the way.

You're bad.