<\/p>\n
Michael Wacha has been the Kansas City Royals\u2019 most consistent starting pitcher in 2026. Of late, however, he hasn\u2019t looked like the All-Star he has been this season.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old right-hander has been exceptional during his career against the San Francisco Giants, who visit the Royals on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Wacha (5-7, 3.77 ERA) ranks among the major league leaders with 12 quality starts. Just one reason he earned his second All-Star Game nod \u2014 11 years after his only other such honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the way I still love the game, and how much I love to prepare,\u201d said Wacha, Monday\u2019s scheduled starter for Kansas City. \u201cI love to go out there and compete every day. I\u2019m glad that the fire is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wacha remains an inspiration and Royals management has stated it\u2019s not actively shopping him in advance of the upcoming trade deadline. <\/p>\n
However, he has allowed a combined 10 runs and four homers over 10 2\/3 innings in losing each of his last two starts. In his most recent, at the New York Mets on July 9, Wacha matched a season high with six runs surrendered, plus three walks, across a season-low 4 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
Wacha has not faced the Giants since 2024, but he\u2019s 3-1 with a stellar 1.94 ERA in 10 career starts against them.<\/p>\n
Kansas City is last in the AL Central with 40 victories but took two of three from San Diego at home despite losing 19-2 on Sunday. Budding Royals star Jac Caglianone homered in that series finale, and has recorded seven extra-base hits during his 10-game hitting streak.<\/p>\n
Teammate Bobby Witt Jr. was given the day off Sunday. Perhaps that rest will help the All-Star shortstop get back on track after batting .167 (6-for-36) with 10 strikeouts in his last eight games.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s batted .310 with six RBIs in 12 career games against the Giants.<\/p>\n
San Francisco has just two more wins than Kansas City and will try to avoid a third straight defeat after dropping two of three at Seattle. The Giants managed just five hits during a 6-3 loss Sunday, and they have scored more than three runs twice while splitting their last six games.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not ideal, but all we can do (Monday) is come out and put our best game forward,\u201d San Francisco left-hander Robbie Ray said.<\/p>\n
Despite the Giants\u2019 struggles, rookie Bryce Eldridge hit his 10th homer Sunday and is batting .320 with three homers, four RBIs and six walks in the last seven games.<\/p>\n
The Giants are scheduled to start Trevor McDonald (3-7, 5.02), who allowed a homer and two other hits over seven strong innings against Colorado on July 12. It was a needed bounce back for the right-hander, who yielded eight runs and 11 hits in 2 1\/3 innings versus Toronto in his previous start on July 7.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome back (from the All-Star break) with some confidence and momentum,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to the second half (of the season).\u201d<\/p>\n
This will be McDonald\u2019s first appearance against the Royals.<\/p>\n
San Francisco\u2019s Luis Arraez is 6-for-16 (.375) with two home runs versus Wacha. Giants teammate Willy Adames is 3-for-8 against him.<\/p>\n
Royals veteran Salvador Perez is batting .211 this season, but he\u2019s two shy of tying George Brett\u2019s franchise-record 317 career home runs. Perez has four homers in 72 career at-bats over 18 games versus San Francisco.<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n