Mets vs. Padres: Tonight’s Lineups, TV Info & Live Chat (8/18)
Baseball Lineups Made Simple: Your Guide to Tonight’s Game
Hey there, baseball fan (or soon-to-be fan)! If you’ve ever looked at a lineup card and felt like you were reading a secret code, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down tonight’s matchup in plain English—no baseball dictionary required.
What You’re Looking At: The Starting Lineup
Think of a baseball lineup like a batting order—it’s the list of nine players who will hit for their team, in order, from first to ninth. Each player also has a defensive position (where they stand on the field when the other team is hitting).
Important Point: The DH (Designated Hitter) only bats—they don’t play defense. Think of them as the "professional hitter" of the team.
Tonight’s Matchup: Mets vs. Padres
New York Mets (Home Team)
Batting first (top of each inning)
| Batting Order | Player | Position | What They Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francisco Lindor | Shortstop (SS) | Fields balls between 2nd & 3rd base; usually a speedy leadoff hitter |
| 2 | Bo Bichette | Third Base (3B) | Guards the "hot corner" near 3rd base; strong arm, quick reflexes |
| 3 | Luis Robert Jr. | Center Field (CF) | Covers the huge middle of the outfield; needs elite speed |
| 4 | Carson Benge | Right Field (RF) | Catches fly balls in right field; often a power hitter |
| 5 | Francisco Álvarez | DH | Only hits—no glove needed! Usually a big power bat |
| 6 | Christopher Morel | First Base (1B) | Catches throws from infielders; stretches for close plays |
| 7 | Marcus Semien | Second Base (2B) | Turns double plays with the shortstop; key defensive spot |
| 8 | A.J. Ewing | Left Field (LF) | Patrols left field; backs up center fielder on deep hits |
| 9 | Luis Torrens | Catcher (C) | The field general—calls pitches, frames strikes, throws out runners |
San Diego Padres (Visiting Team)
Batting second (bottom of each inning)
| Batting Order | Player | Position | What They Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fernando Tatís Jr. | Right Field (RF) | Electrifying athlete; can hit for power & steal bases |
| 2 | Luis Rengifo | Left Field (LF) | Versatile defender; often gets on base to set up big hitters |
| 3 | Manny Machado | Third Base (3B) | Elite defender + consistent power hitter; face of the franchise |
| 4 | Ty France | First Base (1B) | Professional hitter; high average, drives in runs |
| 5 | Jackson Merrill | Center Field (CF) | Rookie sensation; covers ground & hits for average |
| 6 | Xander Bogaerts | Shortstop (SS) | Four-time All-Star; smooth defense, clutch hitting |
| 7 | Austin Hays | DH | Left-handed power bat; no defensive duties tonight |
| 8 | Freddy Fermín | Catcher (C) | Handles pitching staff; strong arm behind the plate |
| 9 | Jake Cronenworth | Second Base (2B) | Left-handed hitter; great contact skills, versatile defender |
Game Details: When & Where to Watch
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| First Pitch | 7:10 PM ET (that’s 4:10 PM PT / 6:10 PM CT) |
| TV Broadcast | SNY (SportsNet New York) |
| Radio | Audacy Mets Radio – WHSQ 880 AM |
| Streaming Radio | Audacy App or 92.3 FM HD2 |
Pro Tip: If you’re outside the NY market, you may need MLB.TV to stream the game (blackout restrictions apply).
ELI5: How to Read a Lineup Like a Pro
- Top of the order (1-2): Fast, gets on base a lot → "Table setters"
- Middle of the order (3-5): Best hitters → "Run producers" (HRs, doubles, RBIs)
- Bottom of the order (6-9): Mix of defense & contact → "Second lineup" in NL parks (but DH changes this!)
- Pitcher’s spot: In National League parks, the pitcher hits 9th. Here, both teams use a DH, so you get nine real hitters!
Summary
- Two teams, nine batters each, one DH per team (so no pitchers hitting!)
- Mets send out Lindor, Bichette, Robert, Benge, Álvarez, Morel, Semien, Ewing, Torrens
- Padres counter with Tatís, Rengifo, Machado, France, Merrill, Bogaerts, Hays, Fermín, Cronenworth
- First pitch: 7:10 PM ET on SNY (TV) or 880 AM / Audacy App (radio)
- Now you know who’s hitting, where they play, and when to tune in
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why does the DH only hit and not play defense?
A: The DH rule (used in the AL since 1973, NL since 2022) lets teams use a specialized hitter—often an older star or injury-prone slugger—without risking them in the field. It adds more offense to the game!
Q: What does "batting first" vs. "batting second" mean?
A: The visiting team (Padres) bats in the top of each inning; the home team (Mets) bats in the bottom. The home team gets the final at-bat—if they’re ahead after 8.5 innings, they win without batting in the 9th!
Q: Can players switch positions during the game?
A: Absolutely! Managers make defensive substitutions all the time—especially late in games. A fast player might replace a slow runner (pinch runner), or a better fielder might replace a DH-type player.
Q: Why are some players listed at positions they don’t usually play?
A: Versatility is gold in modern baseball! Players like Morel (usually OF/3B at 1B) or Tatís (usually SS in RF) move around to get the best lineup on the field. It’s like a chess match.
Q: What if a game is postponed?
A: If weather or other issues delay the game, it’s usually rescheduled as a doubleheader (two 7-inning games) or the next mutual off-day. Your tickets/stream access typically carry over.
Enjoy the game! Now you can impress your friends by saying, "Love how they’re using Álvarez as the DH tonight—keeps his bat in the lineup without the wear of catching."