Game Chat: Mets vs Royals, 9:30 PM

Friday, July 11, 2025 • 8:10 PM
Kauffman Stadium • Kansas City, MO
RHP Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.47) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (4-9, 3.83)
SNY

The Mets look to end the first half of the season on a strong note against the Kansas City Royals. After beating the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees in consecutive series, the Mets dropped a doubleheader (and the series) to the Baltimore Orioles yesterday.

Right now, it feels like the Mets are bit depleted, but there’s good news! Tonight, they get Kodai Senga back for his first start since June 12, and Sunday they get Sean Manaea back for his season debut!

Mets Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo – LF
2. Francisco Lindor – SS
3. Juan Soto – RF
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Mark Vientos – DH
6. Jeff McNeil – 2B
7. Ronny Mauricio – 3B
8. Luis Torrens – C
9. Tyrone Taylor – CF

Kodai Senga returns to the Mets tonight! He was having a tremendous season, pitching 73 2/3 innings over 13 starts with a 1.47 ERA, 3.19 FIP, 1.113 WHIP and a 261 ERA+, before injuring his hamstring in early June and being diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He allowed four runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 frames in his rehab start last week.

The Royals have the following career stats against Senga:

• Maikel Garcia 3-4
• Jonathan India 2-3, 2B, K
• Kyle Isbel 2-3
• Salvador Perez 1-3, 2B, 2 K
• Bobby Witt Jr. 2-3

Opposing Lineup

1. Jonathan India – DH
2. Bobby Witt Jr. – SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino – 1B
4. Maikel Garcia – 3B
5. Salvador Perez – C
6. Jac Caglianone – RF
7. Nick Loftin – 2B
8. John Rave – LF
9. Kyle Isbel – CF

The Mets’ batters will face off against one-time friend Michael Wacha tonight. He had a 6.62 ERA over eight games and 34 innings for the 2020 New York Mets. He’s become a very consistent pitcher over the last four years, consistently putting up an ERA in the 3’s. This season, he has pitched 101 innings over 18 outings with a 3.83 ERA, 3.92 FIP, 1.287 WHIP and a 108 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough stretch where he he has allowed 12 earned runs over his last three starts (15 IP, 7.20 ERA, 4.55 FIP).

The Mets have the following career numbers against Wacha:

• Pete Alonso 3-6, HR
• Brett Baty 2-3, 2B
• Francisco Lindor, 1-2, BB
• Jeff McNeil 2-5
• Brandon Nimmo 1-2, 2B, BB
• Juan Soto 4-9, 2B, 2 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-2
• Luis Torrens 2-4, K
• Jesse Winker 5-15, 5 K

Game Notes

• Brandon Sproat’s scoreless streak with Triple-A Syracuse has now reached 18 innings.
• The Mets placed Jesse Winker on the 10-day IL with back inflammation and recalled Jared Young. Additionally, the club sent down Justin Hagenman and designated Rico Garcia for assignment while also bringing Austin Warren back up to the major leagues.
• Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that an MRI on Starling Marte’s knee produced “encouraging” results and that the hope is for him to return right after the All-Star break.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Hitting with RISP. The Mets have struggled immensely with RISP this season. Yesterday, the Mets went a combined 2-for-19 in those situations. Although the bullpen couldn’t finish the first game or keep the Mets in the second one, the bats just gave the team nothing to work with, leaving 14 runners on base. Having at least one inning with a crooked number will go a long way for morale and setting the tone this weekend.
2. The Bullpen. The Mets used five relievers yesterday. That number is low because newly-named All-Star David Peterson pitched seven innings. Brandon Waddell and Justin Hagenman were able to complete five innings in the second game. The bullpen yesterday just didn’t get the job done, and it’s safe to assume they may receive extra work with Senga still ramping back up to full strength.
3. Juan Soto. Soto stole his 11th base of the season yesterday. He’s now only one stolen base away from matching his career high of 12, which was set in 2019 and 2023. Soto still currently leads the league with 75 walks (five ahead of Rafael Devers) and is ninth in OPS at .901. Sounds like an All-Star to me.

Let’s go Mets!

The post Game Chat: Mets vs Royals, 9:30 PM appeared first on Metsmerized Online.