Michael Wacha has been the Kansas City Royals’ most consistent starting pitcher in 2026. Of late, however, he hasn’t looked like the All-Star he has been this season.
The 35-year-old right-hander has been exceptional during his career against the San Francisco Giants, who visit the Royals on Monday night.
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 — 11 years after his only other such honor.
“Just the way I still love the game, and how much I love to prepare,” said Wacha, Monday’s scheduled starter for Kansas City. “I love to go out there and compete every day. I’m glad that the fire is still there.”
Wacha remains an inspiration and Royals management has stated it’s not actively shopping him in advance of the upcoming trade deadline.
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.
Wacha has not faced the Giants since 2024, but he’s 3-1 with a stellar 1.94 ERA in 10 career starts against them.
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.
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.
He’s batted .310 with six RBIs in 12 career games against the Giants.
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.
“It’s not ideal, but all we can do (Monday) is come out and put our best game forward,” San Francisco left-hander Robbie Ray said.
Despite the Giants’ 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.
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.
“Come back (from the All-Star break) with some confidence and momentum,” McDonald said. “I’m looking forward to the second half (of the season).”
This will be McDonald’s first appearance against the Royals.
San Francisco’s Luis Arraez is 6-for-16 (.375) with two home runs versus Wacha. Giants teammate Willy Adames is 3-for-8 against him.
Royals veteran Salvador Perez is batting .211 this season, but he’s two shy of tying George Brett’s franchise-record 317 career home runs. Perez has four homers in 72 career at-bats over 18 games versus San Francisco.
–Field Level Media
