Headed on different paths, Mets and Royals conclude series

After perhaps the most surprising trade deadline selloff in baseball history, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said Wednesday afternoon he expected the team to be "very competitive next year."

After perhaps the most surprising trade deadline selloff in baseball history, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said Wednesday afternoon he expected the team to be "very competitive next year."

The rest of this season might be a challenge, though.

The visiting Mets will look to avoid a three-game series sweep Thursday afternoon when they face the Kansas City Royals.

Carlos Carrasco (3-5, 6.40 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Brady Singer (6-8, 5.46) in a battle of right-handers.

The Mets fell 4-0 on Wednesday as Royals left-hander Cole Ragans set career highs by tossing six innings and striking out eight while earning his first win in a Kansas City uniform.

The shutout was the 10th of the season for the Mets' offense. New York's lineup on Wednesday looked decidedly different than the one that took the field on Opening Day -- when New York, with its record-setting payroll of more than $350 million, was widely viewed as a World Series contender.

However, the Mets traded left fielder Mark Canha, third baseman Eduardo Escobar and outfielder/designated hitter Tommy Pham in recent days.

Opening Day starting pitcher Max Scherzer, fellow ace Justin Verlander and closer David Robertson also were dealt. Designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach is now a part-time player, and catcher Omar Narvaez got injured and lost his job to rookie Francisco Alvarez.

In addition, right fielder Starling Marte (migraine headaches) is on the injured list, and center fielder Brandon Nimmo (left quad tightness) was sidelined on Wednesday.

Cohen, speaking in Kansas City prior to the game, echoed the comments of general manager Billy Eppler, who said on Sunday and again on Tuesday the Mets weren't in fire-sale mode and expected to be competitive in 2024.

"I'm competitive, OK?" Cohen said. "I'm opportunistic. So we'll see what happens over the winter."

What's happening for Kansas City hasn't taken place in more than two years. The Royals have produced five consecutive victories -- their longest winning streak since a six-game run from July 20-26, 2021. They are seeking a second straight three-game series sweep after they failed to win more than two games in a row over the season's first 104 games.

The Royals, who overcame eighth- and 10th-inning deficits in a 7-6, 10-inning win on Tuesday in the series opener, were resourceful again on Wednesday. Michael Massey's two-run double highlighted a first inning in which Kansas City sent eight batters to the plate against Mets starter Kodai Senga.

Every starter except MJ Melendez had a hit for the Royals, who finished with 12 hits, including nine singles.

"Just a group of guys that comes out and competes every night and looks for those margins and takes advantage of them," Massey told Bally Sports Kansas City afterward.

Carrasco took the loss in his most recent start on Saturday when he gave up eight runs (six earned) over 2 1/3 innings as the Mets fell 11-6 to the Washington Nationals. He is 12-8 with a 3.72 ERA in 27 career games (22 starts) against the Royals.

Singer didn't factor into the decision on Friday after allowing two runs and striking out a season-high 10 over five innings in the Royals' 8-5, 10-inning win over the Minnesota Twins. He has never opposed the Mets.

--Field Level Media