Today, the Royals take on the Mets, looking to avoid a sweep after two devastating losses on Friday and Saturday. Kansas City will be looking to come away with the win before entering the All-Star break.
Game is in rain delay and will start at 1:50
Kansas City came away with a big sweep against the Pirates earlier this week and will continue to try to make a playoff push through the final half of the season. Today’s game feels crucial as they look to avoid a sweep and keep themselves up as they get closer to the All-Star break and the trade deadline.
The Royals’ offense has continued to struggle. They’ve only scored four runs over the first two games of this series and the bad desperately need to come alive today. The offense yesterday left Jonathan India on base despite two leadoff doubles and simply needs to be better about driving in runners.
Noah Cameron will take them out for the Royals, looking to continue his incredible rookie season. So far this year, Cameron has posted a 2.56 ERA over 63 innings in 11 starts and has also shown a sub-1 WHIP. The young lefty will take on one of the best lineups in baseball in an attempt to earn his fourth win of the season.
For the Mets, converted reliever Clay Holmes will be on the mound. So far this year, Holmes has started 18 games and has posted a 3.29 ERA over 98.1 innings. Holmes is a true sinker-slider pitcher who does a great job manipulating the zone laterally. His fastball is easily the most hittable pitch in his repertoire, and if the Royals can get on top of it, they should have a good day.
India is back at second base after DHing yesterday, and Salvador Perez gets a defensive day off. Freddy Fermin will move behind the plate, and John Rave is back in left field with Nick Loftin getting a day off as well. With one day left before the All-Star break, it’s do or die for the offense to salvage a series before the start of the second half.
Facing the lefty Noah Cameron, Francisco Lindor becomes the leadoff man for the Mets, and Brandon Nimmo moves down to the five-hole. Mark Vientos moves up, and then, after Nimmo, the Mets send out a switch hitter and three righties. Noah Cameron has had success against any hitter he faces and will need to stay aggressive and inside today against a lot of righties as he looks to keep the Royals on track.