Final Score: KC 1 | NYM 2

Overall Record: 10-6

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Brooks Raley (1-0 | 0.00 ERA)
• L: Chris Stratton (1-1 | 6.00 ERA)
• S: Edwin Diaz (3 | 1.50 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Cole Ragans

6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, BB, 8 K

Quite simply have run out of things to say about Cole Ragans at this point. There’s nothing more you can ask from him. Showing up and giving his team six scoreless innings is a big feat. He also had to deal with a lineup that has been heating up of late. There’s no denying the superstar ability that is all over the Mets lineup, but it stood no chance against Ragans today. The way he is able to just take control of at-bats with his use of the corners is exceptional. If you are able to do that, there is nothing that gets in the way of your destiny. One other thing is his confidence with his fastball. Of course, it varies in speeds from 95-100, but the way he paints it in front of hitters or catches them sleeping on 0-2, just seems effortless. And it’s not, that is just the way that he is playing so far in the season. He is must-watch TV until further notice. I feel like the kid in The Incredibles, waiting for something amazing, the way I want to see more and more greatness.

Key Highlights

This one was a pitchers duel throughout, and although we already highlighted Cole Ragans’ day, Jose Butto had one hell of a game as well. He also kept the competition on hold for six innings of scoreless ball. But his changeup was on another level. We know that he has “the best change in the Mets’ system”, but it’s another thing to go out and shove against a hot lineup, and Butto was able to do that. He struck out the first three batters of the game, and his first six batters total on the change. It was moving all sorts of ways. The biggest storyline of this game isn’t reflected in the final score, but it is definitely the injury of Salvador Perez.

Perez had to exit the game in the fourth inning after a collision at the plate resulted in an out, as MJ Melendez made a gorgeous throw from the outfield for his first assist of the season. It appeared that Salvy’s knee was pushed back when the runner was sliding. We don’t know the exact severity yet, but we will wait to see what the Royals will do without their star catcher. Salvy has come on strong as a key part of this lineup to start 2024, as one of the most consistent factors that they can rely on. For the most part this one was quiet, with another solid outing from John Schrieber. But it all came crashing down in the eighth. With Chris Stratton allowing four walks in the inning, it wasn’t hard for the Mets to take advantage. With Harrison Bader finally coming through with the go-ahead single, and then Stratton walking in a run with the bases loaded. All this happened with two outs as well. So yet another game that they could’ve had, but just didn’t roll in their favor. With it being a two run lead for the Mets’ in the ninth, a Vinnie Pasquantino solo home run didn’t have enough juice to keep this one going. Edwin Diaz and the trumpets closed out the Royals in this one. Gotta score more than one in the ninth inning…

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals head to the south side of Chicago for a three game set against the White Sox. In the first game, the Royals will send out Seth Lugo for his Royals road debut, who had great success against this lineup just ten days ago. He held the Sox to just one run in 6.1 innings the last time out. The Sox will have Nick Nastrini make his major league debut at 6:40p on Monday. He was acquired in the Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly trade to the Dodgers last July. 

Image Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel