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Mets vs. Guardians: Lineups, TV Info & Live Open Thread (8/5)
Mets vs. Guardians: Your Easy Guide to Tonight’s Lineup and Game Info
Hey there, baseball fan! Whether you’re new to the game or just want a quick, simple breakdown of who’s playing where and how to watch, you’ve come to the right place. Think of this as your cheat sheet for tonight’s matchup.
What You’re Looking At: Two Lineups, One Game
In baseball, each team sends nine players out to bat in a specific order. That order is called the lineup. Below are the lineups for both teams playing tonight.
Important Point: The first list is the visiting team (bats first), and the second list is the home team (bats second). Based on the radio info (Mets Radio), the first lineup is the New York Mets and the second is the Cleveland Guardians.
New York Mets Lineup (Visitors – Bat First)
Here’s who’s hitting and where they’ll play defense:
| Batting Order | Player | Position | What That Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A.J. Ewing | CF (Center Field) | Runs down fly balls in the middle of the outfield |
| 2 | Francisco Lindor | SS (Shortstop) | Fields ground balls between 2nd and 3rd base; team captain vibes |
| 3 | Bo Bichette | 3B (Third Base) | Guards the "hot corner" near the left-field line |
| 4 | Carson Benge | RF (Right Field) | Catches flies hit to the right side of the field |
| 5 | Jared Young | 1B (First Base) | Catches throws from infielders to get runners out at first |
| 6 | Francisco Alvarez | C (Catcher) | Calls pitches, catches them, stops stolen bases |
| 7 | Brett Baty | LF (Left Field) | Patrols left field, backs up throws to third |
| 8 | Jorge Polanco | DH (Designated Hitter) | Only hits – doesn’t play defense (American League rule) |
| 9 | Marcus Semien | 2B (Second Base) | Turns double plays, covers area between 1st and 2nd |
Cleveland Guardians Lineup (Home – Bat Second)
| Batting Order | Player | Position | What That Means (ELI5) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steven Kwan | LF (Left Field) | Speedy contact hitter who tracks down everything in left |
| 2 | Chase DeLauter | DH (Designated Hitter) | Big bat, no glove tonight – just swings the lumber |
| 3 | Jo Adell | RF (Right Field) | Power arm, power bat – watches right field |
| 4 | Nathaniel Lowe | 1B (First Base) | Reliable glove at first, lefty swing |
| 5 | Travis Bazzana | 2B (Second Base) | Young infielder with good instincts |
| 6 | Brayan Rocchio | SS (Shortstop) | Smooth defender, runs the infield |
| 7 | Petey Halpin | CF (Center Field) | Covers the most ground in the outfield |
| 8 | Patrick Bailey | C (Catcher) | Game-caller, pitch-framer, cannon arm |
| 9 | Angel Genao | 3B (Third Base) | Quick reflexes at the hot corner |
Game Details: When & Where to Watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| First Pitch | 6:40 PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) |
| TV Channel | SNY (SportsNet New York) |
| Radio | Audacy Mets Radio – WHSQ 880 AM, Audacy App, 92.3 FM HD2 |
Callout: If you’re outside the NY area, check MLB.TV or your streaming provider for blackout rules. Radio on the Audacy App works anywhere!
How to Follow Along (Step-by-Step)
- Tune in by 6:35 PM for pre-game chatter.
- Watch the top of the 1st – Mets bat first (Ewing leads off).
- Track the score – each team gets 3 outs per inning, 9 innings total.
- Listen for names – announcers will say “Lindor at short,” “Kwan in left,” etc.
- Enjoy the DH rule – Polanco (Mets) and DeLauter (Guardians) only hit; no fielding needed.
Quick Summary
- Mets bat first; Guardians bat second (home team).
- Both lineups have 9 players with set batting orders and defensive positions.
- DH (Designated Hitter) means two players tonight only hit – no glove required.
- Game starts 6:40 PM EDT on SNY (TV) and 880 AM / Audacy App (radio).
- Perfect night to grab a snack, learn the positions, and enjoy some baseball!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What does "DH" mean and why don’t they play defense?
A: DH = Designated Hitter. In the American League (and interleague games at AL parks), a player bats for the pitcher. Since pitchers usually hit poorly, the DH is a strong hitter who only hits.
Q: Why does the home team bat second?
A: It’s tradition! The visiting team bats in the "top" of each inning, home team in the "bottom." If the home team is ahead after 8.5 innings, they don’t even need to bat in the 9th.
Q: Can I listen to the game for free?
A: Yes! The Audacy App streams the Mets radio call for free anywhere in the U.S.
Q: Who’s the best player to watch tonight?
A: Francisco Lindor (Mets SS) and Steven Kwan (Guardians LF) are both All-Star caliber – fun to watch hit and field.
Q: What if the game is tied after 9 innings?
A: They play extra innings – same rules, just keep going until someone wins. No ties in baseball!
Enjoy the game!
