Mets Need to Move on From Veteran Pitching Staff

The Mets bent over backwards to give chance after chance to the lines of Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, David Peterson and Clay Holmes, and what they’ve seen is one failure after another.

It’s time for something different. Holmes is the only one of those hurlers who’s still in the picture in any viable way, and Senga will likely follow Peterson out the door very soon.

The Mets have an opportunity to do something very different. Nolan McLean has had some struggles with command and inconsistency, but he’s shown enough when he’s on to indicate that he could at least be a good pitcher at the top of a successful rotation.

Chrisitan Scott has shown that he, too, can be part of the same effort. He may end up being a third or fourth starter, but Scott has had enough success for the Mets to continue to give him run.

Spain Wins World Cup, Outlasting Argentina in Extra Time Thriller

Substitute Ferran Torres struck in the second half of extra time to secure Spain’s second World Cup after a disappointing Argentina were reduced to 10 men.

The defending champions did not register an attempt on goal until the 117th minute and fell short in their bid to become only the third nation to retain the World Cup.

Instead, Messi’s glorious World Cup career ended in heartbreak at the age of 39.  

Argentina vs Spain in World Cup Final

Argentina, trailing (1-0) late, rallied to defeat England (2-1), getting the winning tally from substitute player, Lauturo Martinez in extra time.

Meanwhile Spain, as was Argentina a match underdog, won (2-0) vs France.

Spain has allowed but one goal in its 7 matches thus far.

Ben Rice Hits 2 Homers for Yankees in 12-4 Win, New York Splits 4-Game Series With Rays

With his two homers, Rice now has 28 for the season, one fewer than the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez for the AL home-run lead. He moved past the Rays’ Junior Caminero with his second home run on Thursday.

Caminero briefly moved ahead of Rice with his 27th homer of the season in the first inning off Yankees opener Paul Blackburn. That was his first home run in his past five games, following an 11-game span during which he hit 11 homers.

Rice finished the day batting 2-for-4 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. With 65 RBI, the Yankees’ DH now ranks third in that category among AL sluggers behind Alvarez and Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz.

Ryan McMahon also drove in two runs for the Yankees, with Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Austin Wells, and José Caballero each getting an RBI. Wells got his on his fifth home run of the season.

Royals Make Significant Changes to Kauffman Stadium Dimensions, Eyeing More Offense

Both the left- and right-field walls will be moved in nine to 10 feet, beginning close to the foul poles and tapering toward center field, which will stay at 410 feet from home plate, while the wall height will be lowered from 10 feet to 8 1/2 feet in most places. 

A team-provided diagram showed the left- and right-field corners at 347 and 344 feet, respectively, nine feet shorter than their current dimensions. The left and right field walls will also be nine feet closer at 364 feet.

Kauffman Stadium is already considered to be an above-average offensive park because of its massive outfield, which promotes doubles and triples, but has suppressed home runs, which has led to hitters changing their approaches in road games. The Royals had previously moved their fences in 10 feet between 1995 and 2003, which saw a spike in home run totals, before returning to their original dimensions in 2004.

Old (Feet)New (Feet)
Left Field Line356347
Left Field373364
Left Field Alley389379
Left Center405405
Center Field410410
Right Center405405
Right Field Alley389379
Right Field373364
Right Field Line356344