Category: Major League Baseball
Final: Marlins 2 – Mets 1
The Miami Marlins defeated the New York Mets by the final score of 2-1 this afternoon at Tradition Field. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Jacob deGrom fired 4 scoreless innings this afternoon, allowing four hits, one walk, and five strikeouts.
- Jeurys Familia pitched 1 inning of relief allowing two hits, no runs, and one strikeout.
- Michael Conforto was 1-3 with a double.
- Juan Lagares was 1-1 with a run scored.
- David Wright was 0-3 with a strikeout, and played 5 innings at third base.
- Addison Reed had a rough inning of work allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs. He also had a strikeout.
There seems to be some concern from people regarding DeGrom’s velocity this spring, as he is hovering between the 91-93 mph range, instead of his normal 94-96 mph range. DeGrom claims he feels fine and he was also pitching on short rest which could’ve been a contributing factor. His ERA is sitting pretty at 0.90 and he is still getting people out on a regular basis despite a couple ticks below his normal velocity. I’m optimistic his velocity will return to its normal average during the regular season, and even if it doesn’t, he has proven he still can get hitters out without the velocity he normally brings.
- The Mets begin a 3-game swing on the west coast of Florida tomorrow, starting with a contest against the New York Yankees in Tampa. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm et. and the game will not be televised, but can be heard on WOR 710 AM.
- Southpaw Steven Matz will take the hill for the Mets and is scheduled to face promising Yankees right-hander Luis Severino.
Mets Tidbits
- Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was seen fielding ground balls this morning in Port St. Lucie. It is another step forward for Cabrera as he returns from his knee injury. It is becoming increasingly likely that Cabrera will be in the lineup Opening Night for the Mets.
- Terry Collins stated this morning that Noah Syndergaard may pitch in the second game of the season against the Royals, although it may be in a relief role. However this is all dependent on whether Jacob deGrom is with the team or on paternity leave during the first series of the season. With the Mets only having two games, the first five days of the season, it would make sense to have Matz and Syndergaard pitch in relief roles, so they are not sitting idle.
- ESPN New York Adam Rubin is reporting that the Travis d’Arnaud/Kevin Plawecki first base experiment is all but over. Neither player has gotten a chance to get any game action at first or much practice time. It has been reported by Rubin that former Mets first baseman and SNY analyst, Keith Hernandez spent time with Wilmer Flores yesterday afternoon working at first base.
- The Mets have announced that Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz will be the starters for the exhibition games against the Chicago Cubs in Las Vegas on March 31 and April 1. deGrom will pitch the 31st, with Matz following the day after.
- Mookie Wilson will arrive in camp today to work with the team through March 25.
Dilson Herrera leads Colombia to WBC birth.
Dilson Herrera hit a solo homer that snapped a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning, to lift Colombia to a 2-1 win over Panama in the WBC Qualifying Tournament Final last night. With the win, Colombia advanced to the 2017 WBC. Herrera finished 2-4 last night and reached base seven times in Colombia’s three WBC games. Herrera spoke to an MLB reporter after the game and had the following to say;
“It was amazing. Amazing,” a choked-up Herrera said while holding back tears. “First of all, I want to say thanks to God for everything. I was just trying to make good contact. I was thinking of my country, I was thinking about my team. I said, ‘The game’s not over until the last inning.’ I was just trying to get on base for the third and fourth batters behind me. Just made good contact. When I saw my team and that situation, I have no word to describe [it]. I’m so happy and so excited for this opportunity.”
You have to feel happy for Dilson to be able to come through late in the game and send his country to it’s first ever WBC. It was only fitting he got the final out as well by fielding a ground ball and throwing the runner out at first. Herrera played a major role in Colombia’s success in the tournament, and we all have gotten a glance of what he is capable of on a much larger scale. Herrera is expected to be the Mets starting second baseman next season, and he will also be leading Colombia next March into the WBC. I provided highlights of last night’s blast below, in case you have not seen Herrera’s heroics yet.
Lineups Marlins vs. Mets 1:10 pm et
Marlins:
1. Dee Gordon (L) 2B
2. Marcell Ozuna (R) CF
3. Christian Yelich (L) LF
4. Justin Bour (L) 1B
5. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
6. Ichiro Suzuki (L) RF
7. Chris Johnson (R) 3B
8. Adeiny Hechavarria (R) SS
9. Jarred Cosart (R) P
SP: Jarred Cosart RHP
*Marlins will play without a DH this afternoon.
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) DH
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Michael Conforto (L) LF
4. Wilmer Flores (R) SS
5. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
6. Eric Campbell (R) 1B
7. Roger Bernadina (L) RF
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
9. Ty Kelly (S) 2B
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on SNY
Game Notes:
Available Pitchers for both squads:
MARLINS:LHP Brad Hand, RHP Brian Ellington, RHP Andre Rienzo, RHP Kyle Barraclough
METS: LHP Sean Gilmartin, RHP Buddy Carlyle, RHP Zack Thornton
RHP JACOB deGROM: Will make his third start of the Spring today…Tossed 3.0 scoreless innings on March 17 at Miami in his last start…Did not issue a walk and struck out three…
DAVID WRIGHT: Went 1-3 with an RBI yesterday after going 2-3 on Friday in his first two Grapefruit League games of the spring…
VS. MIAMI: Today’s game is the fifth this spring vs. Miami and the fourth in the last eight days…The Mets are 3-0-1 vs. the Marlins…The two clubs will meet once more after today (March 29 in Port St. Lucie).
JUAN LAGARES: Is hitting .364 (8-22) with four runs scored, one triple, one home run, six RBI and three stolen bases, including stealing home as part of a double steal yesterday.
Final: Red Sox 9 – Mets 4
The Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Mets this afternoon by the final score of 9-4 at Tradition Field. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Noah Syndergaard pitched 5 innings allowing 6 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), with 5 strikeouts.
- David Wright was 1-3 with an RBI single in the bottom of the 4th.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 1-3 and is hitting .370 this spring.
- Juan Lagares who got the start in left field again was 0-1 with 2 BB’s and scored a run by stealing home on a double steal.
- Matt Reynolds was 1-3 with 2 runs scored.
Noah Syndergaard was absolutely filthy this afternoon as his fastball was constantly hitting the upper 90’s and his off-speed pitches including his curveball were all working. Syndergaard just looks poised for a big sophomore campaign, and while the Mets rotation is littered with aces, it’s tough not to argue that he may possess the best stuff out of all of them. Juan Lagares was given another start in left field, as Terry Collins has stated he will receive much of his playing time at both corner outfield spots. Lagares made an error in the top of the 4th dropping a ball hit by Travis Shaw that cost the Mets a run. Had Lagares made the catch he would’ve doubled off Xander Bogaerts on second base as he was miles away from the base. It will be a learning process for Lagares learning left field for the rest of the spring, but if anybody can learn a new position in the outfield, I would bet the farm on the Gold Glove winner Lagares. David Wright had a nice game, driving in a run with a sharp hit single in the bottom of the 4th. Wright’s production just adds to an already loaded Mets lineup. If he can play at least between 120-130 games, the Mets easily have a top five offense, as his presence alone deepens their lineup. Wright is expected to get another start tomorrow afternoon, to get in some work on back-to-back days, so how he feels on Tuesday morning will be something to monitor. Antonio Bastardo and Hansel Robles did not have great afternoons. Although Bastardo’s run scored on an error by Alejandro De Aza, he allowed too many baserunners, by starting the inning with back-to-back walks. Robles started his inning with a walk and back-to-back doubles which resulted in two runs. He settled down afterwards by striking out the next three batters. Both of these relievers are expected to have big roles in bridging the gap to Jeurys Familia, and Bastardo’s spring performance is something that continues to be monitored by everyone involved with the Mets.
- The New York Mets stay at Tradition Field to host the Miami Marlins tomorrow afternoon with a 1:10 pm et start time. The game can be seen on SNY or MLB.tv.
- Jacob deGrom will take the hill for the Mets opposing Marlins righty Jared Cosart.
LHP Sean Gilmartin, RHP Buddy Carlyle, and RHP Zack Thornton are also scheduled to appear for the Mets.
Asdrubal Cabrera close to return?
Asdrubal Cabrera seems to be getting closer to being ready for Opening Night for the New York Mets. On Friday, Cabrera had both played catch and tracked pitches in the batting cage in his return from a strained patella tendon. Both yesterday and today, Cabrera has also been seen swinging a bat at Mets camp and hitting off a tee.
It is beginning to look a lot clearer that Cabrera could be ready to play on April 3rd, which would be a huge plus for the Mets, as his chances looked pretty bleak when he suffered his knee injury ten days ago. If Cabrera could get into game action by next weekend, he should be good to go for Opening Night.
Edgin and Goeddel pitch in minor league game
RHP Erik Goeddel and LHP Josh Edgin both pitched in a game setting for the first time this morning in Port St. Lucie. ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin captured these photos this morning of them making their pitching debuts this spring.
Goeddel, who hasn’t pitched all spring since straining his lat muscle earlier in camp, played in a minor league intrasquad game and threw 14 pitches. Goeddel did not allow a batter to reach base as he retired the three batters he faced. It’s an important step for Goeddel in his return to the Mets. He is essentially in a battle for a bullpen spot with the rejuvenated Jim Henderson. Goeddel is now expected to start pitching in Grapefruit League games this week. Goeddel had a 2.43 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33.1 innings last season.
Edgin, who is working back from Tommy John surgery pitched for the first time in a game situation since his operation last March. Edgin threw 16 pitches in a minor league intrasquad game, and struck out three batters, and hit one. This is a huge step in Edgin’s recovery from Tommy John, as he is one step closer to rejoining the Mets bullpen. Edgin is projected to rejoin the team on May 1st, and will be another weapon the Mets can add to a revamped bullpen. Edgin had a 1.32 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched back in 2014.
Lineups Red Sox vs. Mets 1:10 pm et
Red Sox:
1. Brock Holt (L) LF
2. Dustin Pedroia (R) 2B
3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
4. Travis Shaw (L) 3B
5. Chris Young (R) RF
6. David Murphy (L) DH
7. Ryan Hanigan (R) C
8. Rusney Castillo (R) CF
9. Sam Travis (R) 1B
SP: Heath Hembree RHP
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. David Wright (R) 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Wilmer Flores (R) DH
7. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
8. Juan Lagares (R) LF
9. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP
- Today’s game can be seen on SNY or MLB Network, and heard on WOR 710 AM.
Game Notes:
Avaliable pitchers for both squads:
RED SOX: RHP Heath Hembree, RHP Carlos Marmol, LHP Luis Ysla, and LHP Robby Scott.
METS: RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP Hansel Robles, and LHP Jerry Blevins.
YESTERDAY’S GAME: The Mets were rained out in Viera vs. Washington.
DAVID WRIGHT: Went 2-3 with two singles Friday night in his first Grapefruit League action of the spring…
RHP NOAH SYNDERGAARD: Will make his third start of Grapefruit League play today…Allowed one earned run over 3.2 innings with three strikeouts in his last start on March 15 at Miami…
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores ranks second among all NL players with
a .440 (11-25) batting average this spring…Flores is also tied for second among NL players with a .531 on- base percentage…Eric Campbell is first among all NL players with a .563 on-base percentage…
VS. RED SOX: Today’s game is the first of two match-ups between the Mets and Red Sox…New York will travel to Fort Myers on March 24.
Mets vs. Nationals Lineups 1:10 pm et
Mets:
1. Alejandro De Aza (L) DH
2. Juan Lagares (R) CF
3. Michael Conforto (L) LF
4. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
5. Eric Campbell (R) 1B
6. Roger Bernadina (L) RF
7. T.J. Rivera (R) 2B
8. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
9. Ty Kelly (S) 3B
SP: Logan Verrett RHP
Nationals:
1. Ben Revere (L) CF
2. Anthony Rendon (R) 3B
3. Bryce Harper (L) RF
4. Jayson Werth (R) LF
5. Clint Robinson (L) 1B
6. Wilson Ramos (R) C
7. Brendan Ryan (R) SS
8. Jason Martinson (R) 2B
9. Tony Campana (L) DH
SP: Joe Ross RHP
- First pitch is at 1:05 pm et and can be seen on SNY or heard on WOR 710 AM
Game Notes:
RHP LOGAN VERRETT: Will make his fifth appearance of the spring and his second start…He does not have a decision and has posted 1.50 ERA (one earned run/6.0 innings)…He has allowed seven hits, has not issued a walk and struck out two…
LAST TRIP TO VIERA: The Mets will play their last game ever at Space Coast Stadium today…The Nationals are moving to West Palm Beach in 2017.
TEAM HITTING: The Mets are hitting .282 as a team this spring, the fourth- highest average among NL clubs…The Mets have a .360 on-base percentage this spring, ranking second among NL teams, behind Arizona (.373).
NL LEADERS: Wilmer Flores ranks third among all NL players with a .440 (11-25) batting average this spring… Flores is also third among NL players with a .531 on-base percentage…Eric Campbell is second among all NL players with a .563 on-base percentage…Campbell leads all NL players with 10 walks this spring… Campbell is also tied for first along with teammate Alejandro De Aza among NL players with nine runs scored…Travis Taijeron is seventh among NL players with a .385 batting average.
Mets Tidbits
- David Wright came out feeling good after his first Grapefruit League action this spring. “The back felt good today,” Wright stated. “We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.” Wright is expected to play on Sunday at Tradition Field against the Red Sox. He expects to play again the following day at Tradition Field against the Marlins. How Wright’s back responds after back to back games will be something to monitor.
- ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin is reporting that Terry Collins has stated that Juan Lagares will be receiving starts in left field this season, as well as right field. Collins wants to play Lagares in left field and keep Yoenis Cespedes in center field, because he believes it’s best not to move Cespedes around too much.
- Former Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada was reportedly offered a minor league contract by the New York Yankees today. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, has reported that Tejada has rejected the Yankees offer as as he is mulling a Major League offer. Newsday’s David Lennon confirms that report and stated, that Tejada indeed has multiple Major League contract offers that he is considering at this time. I would not be surprised to see Tejada have a new home before the end of the weekend.
- St. Louis Cardinals Rule 5 draft pick, Matt Bowman reportedly may be returned to the Mets by the end of Spring Training.The right-handed pitcher earlier in the week was a favorite to carve a spot out in the big league bullpen, but has struggled with the club this spring. Bowman has allowed 13 hits and 8 earned runs, in three games thus far. A five hit, four run outing on Wednesday may have sealed his fate. Bowman would report to AAA if returned to the Mets.
Above The Mendoza 