- Matchup: Kansas City Royals vs New York Mets
- Scheduled Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
- Venue: Citi Field, Queens, NY
- Broadcast: Sportsnet New York
- Betting Odds: Kansas City (+120) New York (-144)
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On Thursday, the New York Mets (38-54) will face off against the Kansas City Royals (38-54) at Citi Field. The current odds show the Royals at +120 and the Mets at -144, with a total of 9 runs projected. Expected to pitch are Michael Wacha for the Mets and Sean Manaea for the Royals.
This season, the Royals have recorded 167 doubles and hit 93 home runs. Their slugging percentage stands at .398, with 740 strikeouts and 303 walks. Kansas City averages 4.4 runs per game, ranking 19th in the league. They have 381 RBIs and 768 hits, along with a batting average of .248, contributing to a total of 400 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .319.
The team has a K/BB ratio of 1.99 and the pitching staff records a WHIP of 1.44. Royals pitchers have allowed 118 home runs and conceded 467 runs (ranked 26th in MLB). Kansas City’s staff has given up 820 hits (9.1 per 9 innings) and 437 earned runs, with a team ERA of 4.84 (28th overall). They have struck out 703 batters while issuing 353 walks, with a current FIP of 4.69 for the year.
Royals pitchers have entered games with runners on base 64 times, including 91 high-leverage situations. The bullpen has recorded 38 holds this season (25th in MLB) and a save rate of 59.0%, having participated in 77 save opportunities. They have collected 23 saves, but have also blown 16 of their 39 chances. This season, the bullpen has inherited 91 runners, with 34.1% of those scoring. A total of 299 relief pitchers have taken the mound this season.
Fielding-wise, the Royals have converted 68.8% of balls in play into outs over 7,314 innings, ranking them 27th in MLB. They’ve registered 2,438 putouts, 820 assists, and 43 errors with a fielding percentage of .987 (11th in MLB) and achieved 80 double plays.
Wacha has pitched 1,741 innings in his MLB career, accumulating 1,507 strikeouts with a career record of 116-81. His FIP stands at 3.80, facing 7,310 batters. His earned run average (ERA) is 3.86, having allowed 747 earned runs and maintaining a WHIP of 1.267, giving up 1,673 hits (8.6 hits per nine innings) and issuing 534 walks.
The New York Mets have achieved an on-base percentage of .302 and a batting average of .233 this season. With 759 strikeouts (ranking 18th in MLB), they have amassed 723 hits and 107 home runs, along with 364 RBIs. The Mets hold a slugging percentage of .381, averaging 4.14 runs per game (23rd in MLB). They’ve recorded 112 doubles and 281 walks, totaling 381 runs.
The Mets’ pitching staff features a WHIP of 1.321 and a FIP of 4.05. They carry a K/BB ratio of 9.30 (844 strikeouts against 333 walks) and rank 18th in total hits allowed with 749. The team has allowed 101 home runs while yielding 4.89 runs per nine innings (20th in the league). So far, they have conceded 445 runs this season with a team ERA of 4.41 (401 earned runs).
In 61 save situations, the Mets have secured 34 holds and experienced 11 blown saves. The bullpen has been called into action for 27 save opportunities, converting 16 into saves. Mets relievers inherited 123 runners, with a percentage of 30.9% scoring. They’ve played in 102 high-leverage situations and 92 appearances with base runners, holding a save rate of 59.3% and employing 285 relievers throughout the season.
Throughout 7,377 innings played, the Mets exhibit a defensive efficiency of 69.1% (23rd in MLB). They have executed 52 double plays with a fielding percentage of .982 (28th in MLB). The team has notched up 745 assists, committed 60 errors, and recorded 2,459 putouts so far this season.
Manaea, in his career, has allowed 1,220 base hits, striking out 1,252 batters in 1,313 innings. He has given up a total of 604 earned runs, boasting a WHIP of 1.211 and a FIP of 4.1. His strikeout-to-walk ratio sits at 3.38, having faced 5,499 batters with a career record of 80-70 and an ERA of 4.14, allowing 8.4 hits per nine innings.
Who will emerge victorious in this MLB battle against the spread or moneyline?
Prediction: Bet on New York (-144)
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