Category: Sports News
Jacob deGrom to miss next start.
It was announced this morning that Jacob deGrom will be scratched from his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Marlins. Manager Terry Collins stated that deGrom’s right lat has “improved, but not enough.” It seems the Mets will take a day-to- day approach with deGrom before they consider placing him on the disabled list.
Right-hander Logan Verrett will start in deGrom’s place on Wednesday.
Lineups: Mets vs. Phillies 1:10 pm et
Phillies:
1. Freddy Galvis (S) SS
2. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B
3. Odubel Herrera (L) CF
4. Maikel Franco (R) 3B
5. Ryan Howard (L) 1B
6. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
7. Cedric Hunter (L) LF
8. Peter Bourjos (R) RF
9. Jeremy Hellickson (R) P
SP: Jeremy Hellickson RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
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. Michael Conforto (L) LF
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
9. Matt Harvey (R) P
SP: Matt Harvey RHP (0-1, 4.76 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
Game Notes:
SERIES NOTES: The Mets will play their first rubber game of the season today…New York went 7-10 in rubber games in 2015, including 3-4 at home…The Mets have won eight on their last nine series vs. the Phillies.
VS. PHILADELPHIA: The Mets are 10-2 vs. the Phillies in their last 12 games at Citi Field dating to August 31, 2014… New York went 14-5 vs. the Phillies (8-1 at home) last year… The 14 wins were the most in team history in a single-season vs. the Phillies…New York had a franchise high-tying 10-game winning streak vs. the Phillies from May 9-August 31, 2015… The Mets are 28-12 vs. Philadelphia over the last three years (including 2016).
METS PITCHING: The Mets lead the majors with a 1.29 ERA… The staff has allowed three runs, two earned, in its last 29.0 innings (0.62 ERA) dating to the eighth inning of their first game on April 3 at Kansas City.
THE BULLPEN: Has not allowed an earned run in 11.1 innings this season…The Mets are the only team in the majors whose bullpen has not permitted an earned run…The pen has not issued a walk and struck out 12.
HARVEY AT HOME: Since 1950, Matt Harvey has the third- best home ERA (2.05; 54 earned runs/237.0 innings) of any starter in his first three major league seasons (min. home 30 starts)…In Matt Harvey’s last 11 home regular season starts dating to June 16, 2015, he is 5-1 with a 1.25 ERA (10 earned runs/72.0 innings)…Harvey has allowed more than two earned runs in just one of his last 11 home starts…Last year he was 8-3 with a 2.23 ERA (28 earned runs/113.0 innings) at Citi Field.
1986 JERSEYS: Every Sunday home game this season, the Mets will wear replica 1986 jerseys in honor of the 30th Anniversary World Series championship team.
NOTABLE METS VS HELLICKSON:
- Curtis Granderson: .176 (3-17, 1 2B, 1 HR)
- Neil Walker: .400 (2-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI)
- Yoenis Cespedes: .333 (2-6, 1 2B, 1 K)
- Alejandro De Aza: .267 (4-15, 3 2B, 1 RBI)
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .250 (2-8, 1 BB, 1 K)
- David Wright: 1.000 (2-2, 1 2B, 1 BB)
Final Recap: Phillies 1 – Mets 0
The Philadelphia Phillies (1-4) shutout the New York Mets (2-2) this evening by the final score of 1-0. For a full postgame recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Bartolo Colon pitched 6 solid innings with his lone mistake coming on a Ryan Howard home run in the bottom of the 5th. He allowed 5 hits, allowed no walks, and struck out 7. Colon also made a beautiful over the shoulder catch on a Freddy Galvis bunt attempt in the top of the 6th inning.
- Asdrubal Cabrera was 2-3 with a double.
- Lucas Duda was 1-4 with a single.
- Hansel Robles, Antonio Bastardo, and Jeurys Familia combined for 3 scoreless innings.
- The Mets only had 3 hits tonight and were 0-5 with RISP.
- Ryan Howard now has 45 career home runs against the Mets, which is the most among all active players in baseball.
It was a pretty ho-hum night at a cold and wet Citi Field. The Mets were unable to get anything going on offense, despite the pitching doing a great job of keeping them in the game. Hopefully with better weather expected tomorrow, the Mets offense will come alive and put some runs on the board. I can’t believe Mets fans already are beginning to boo Yoenis Cespedes. Yes I understand he has started the season 2-12 at the plate, but lets not start those shenanigans this early on a proven commodity in Cespedes. I also provided the beautiful Willie Mays-esque catch that Colon made below, as it is the only Mets play worth highlighting tonight.
- The Mets and Phillies will play the rubber game of their 3-game series tomorrow afternoon with a 1:10 pm et start time. The game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network. The Mets will also be debuting their 1986 throwback uniforms tomorrow that they will wear on all Sunday home games at Citi Field.
- The Mets will send Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.76 ERA) to the mound to oppose Phillies right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
Mets receive National League Championship Rings today.
The rings are crafted in 10-karat white gold, and the ring features 110 round diamonds, as well as 42 round sapphires, with a total weight of 2.75 carats. The inside of the ring features the National League Championship trophy and the years that the Mets have won the pennant.
Retired outfielder Michael Cuddyer joined the Mets today for the ceremony. The Mets also flew in pitchers Zack Wheeler and Josh Edgin from Port St. Lucie to participate in the ceremony.
Final Recap: Mets 2 – Royals 0
The New York Mets (1-1) defeated the Kansas City Royals (1-1) by the final score of 2-0 this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Noah Syndergaard was absolutely dominant this afternoon pitching 6 scoreless innings, only allowing 3 hits. He only walked 1 and struck out 9 batters this afternoon.
- Neil Walker was 2-4 this afternoon, with a 2-run home run.
- David Wright was 1-3 with 2 walks, and 2 stolen bases.
- Jim Henderson, Addison Reed, and Jeurys Familia combined to pitch 3 hitless innings to end the game, while combining to strike out 3. Familia recorded his first save of the season.
That was one hell of a performance by Noah Syndergaard this afternoon. When Alcides Escobar led the game off with a triple, you could almost imagine every Mets fan thinking, “here we go again.” But that wasn’t the case as Syndergaard struck out the side and pretty much cruised the rest of the afternoon besides for the sixth inning. In the sixth the Royals had him on the rocks, with the bases loaded and two outs, but he struck Kendrys Morales out with three straight pitches. Syndergaard is primed for a huge season, and as I said earlier this spring he just seems to grow and get better with every start he makes. Syndergaard’s slider is becoming a dominant pitch, as he only struck out eleven batters with it all last season, and today he struck out six Royals batters with the slider. That is a pitch he has worked hard on all spring and the results are showing early. Syndergaard also found it very amusing that the Royals played the song “American Woman” as he took the mound to start the game.
It was nice to see Neil Walker as the hero this afternoon, a day after former Met Daniel Murphy played hero for the Washington Nationals. Walker hit a line drive to right field that got over the fence for a 2-run home run in the top of the 4th, which ultimately decided today’s game. Jim Henderson pitched the 7th inning this afternoon and was throwing gas. Henderson’s fastball topped out at 96 mph and he struck out two batters in his lone inning of work. It will be interesting to see how Terry Collins uses him this season to keep him healthy, as he could basically use Henderson and/or Hansel Robles both in the 7th inning. Jeurys Familia pitched a clean 9th and you’ve got to believe that felt good for him today after blowing three saves against the Royals in the World Series. The only area the Mets lacked in today was with runners in scoring position, as they were 0-7.
All in all a great win for the Mets as they head home for Friday’s big home opener at Citi Field. There is sure to be tons of emotion flying around the stadium, as the Mets will be recognized for their great season last season as National League Champions, and they will be facing another opponent who has been waiting for another crack at the Mets since last October. On September 30th in a meaningless game against the Phillies an all out war erupted which included four hit batters, seven wild pitches, the benches clearing, an incensed Larry Bowa, and two ejections. It will be an interesting series to watch this weekend to see if there is any carry over from the series at the end of last season.
- The Mets are off Wednesday and Thursday, but take the field for the home opener on Friday afternoon at 1:10 pm et. The game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
- Pending the birth of his child, Jacob deGrom is scheduled to tote the rubber against Phillies young right-hander Jerad Eickhoff. If deGrom is unable to pitch, Bartolo Colon or Steven Matz will take the hill.
Mets minor league Opening Day starters announced…
New York’s four full season minor league teams will all begin their season on Thursday. I provided the list of Opening Day starters for each affiliate below…
- RHP Rafael Montero (pictured) will be the Opening Day starter for Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League vs. Fresno.
- RHP Robert Gsellman will start for Binghamton (AA) of the Eastern League vs. New Hampshire.
- RHP Josh Prevost will start for St. Lucie (A+) of the Florida State League vs. Jupiter.
- RHP Chase Ingram will be on the mound for Columbia (A) of the South Atlantic Legue at Charleston.
Mets vs. Royals Lineups 4:15 pm et
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. Michael Conforto (L) DH
7. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
8. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
9. Alejandro De Aza (L) LF
SP: Noah Syndergaard RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Royals:
1. Alcides Escobar (R) SS
2. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B
3. Lorenzo Cain (R) CF
4. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B
5. Kendrys Morales (S) DH
6. Alex Gordon (L) LF
7. Salvador Perez (R) C
8. Omar Infante (R) 2B
9. Reymond Fuentes (L) RF
SP: Chris Young RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Today’s game can be seen on SNY and MLB Network.
Game Notes:
METS-ROYALS NOTES: The Mets are 4-6 vs. the Royals during the regular season, including 1-3 at Kauffman Stadium…New York fell in five games to the Royals in the World Series, including going 0-2 in Kansas City.
NOAH NOTES: Noah Syndergaard finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2015…He led major league rookies with 166 strikeouts, led NL rookies and was fourth among ML rookies with a .225 batting average against and was tied for third in the majors among rookies with nine wins last year…Syndergaard also led NL rookies and was fourth among ML rookies with a 3.24 ERA…He threw 1,421 pitches at 95 mph or faster in 2015, the second-most among all major league pitchers behind Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole (1,484).
MICHAEL CONFORTO: Reached base safely four times on Sunday…At 23 years, 33 days, he became the youngest Met to reach base safely four times on Opening Day…He was also the first Met to do so since Xavier Nady in 2006.
JERRY BLEVINS: Retired all three batters he faced on Sunday…Opponents are 0-18 vs. Blevins during his career with the Mets…The opposition was 0-15 vs. Blevins last year before he suffered a fractured left forearm on a line drive off the bat of Miami’s Dee Gordon on April 19.
K.C. IN QUEENS: The Mets will host the Royals for a two- game series, June 21-22.
Notable Mets vs. Young:
- Asdrubal Cabrera: .000 (0-4, 1 HBP, 2 K)
- Yoenis Cespedes: .071 (1-14, 1 2B, 1 RBI)
- Michael Conforto: 1.000 (1-1, 1 HR, 1 RBI)
- David Wright: .091 (1-11, 4 BB, 2 K)
FACING A FAMILIAR YOUNG FACE: Royals starter RHP Chris Young pitched for the Mets during the 2011 and 2012 seasons… He compiled a 5-7 record and a 3.76 ERA in 24 games started… Young also had a 102/47 strikeout to walk ratio with the Mets…Young’s average fastball tops out at 87 MPH… Young pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief in Game 1 of last year’s World Series for the Royals earning the victory in the 14th inning…Young started Game 4 at Citi Field for the Royals and allowed two earned runs over 4 innings pitched.
Should we overreact after one game?
The simple answer is no. Continue reading
Final Recap: Royals 4 – Mets 3
The New York Mets (0-1) fell short tonight against the Kansas City Royals (1-0) at Kauffman Stadium by the final score of 4-3. For a full boxscore recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- Matt Harvey was charged with the loss. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 4 runs (3 earned), with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
- Bartolo Colon made a relief appearance and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, while only allowing a hit.
- Lucas Duda was 1-4 with a 2-run single.
- Michael Conforto was 2-2 with a double, and a pair of walks.
- Neil Walker was 0-4 with an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
- Yoenis Cespedes was 1-4 with a run scored, but committed a costly error in the first inning that ultimately led to a Royals run.
This game reminded me of all of the other games the Mets had played against the Royals during last season’s World Series. The Royals did not do anything spectacular to beat the Mets, but they jumped on opportunities, including Cespedes costly dropped fly ball, ran the bases aggressively, slapped the ball where the Mets weren’t positioned, and played great defense. Royals starter Edinson Volquez had stymied the Mets offense tonight as they could not get anything going against him during his six innings pitched. There were times he would get wild and it seemed like his mechanics would get out of whack, but when he was throwing the ball over the plate, the Mets had no answer. The Mets ultimately had a 3-run rally in the top of the 8th off reliever Joakim Soria, but had fallen short with runners on first and second, when the Royals brought in reliever Luke Hochevar to put out the fire, and he struck Asdrubal Cabrera out swinging. In the top of 9th the Mets produced runners on first and third base with one out against closer Wade Davis, only to have David Wright and Yoenis Cespedes both strike out to end the game. Cespedes arguably had the roughest night of all Mets as his lackadaisical attempt on a dropped fly ball that led to a run, and his inability to come through in the 9th will be talked about by the media until Tuesday. The good news is this is only the first game of the season, and I enjoyed watching the Mets offense come to life later in the game. The Mets will play an exciting brand of baseball I believe this season, and it was a tough hand they were dealt tonight, especially playing in a emotionally charged atmosphere. I will not jump to any negative conclusions after one single game, but it does go to show the Mets if they want to win it all, every play and every little detail matters. As for the Royals, they seem to have not missed a beat with their style of play and Tuesday will provide another difficult matchup for the Mets, especially with a high emotion ring ceremony planned before first pitch.
- The Mets are off tomorrow and will conclude their 2-game series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday afternoon at 4:15 pm et. The game can be seen on SNY or MLB Network.
- Noah Syndergaard will make his first start of the season for the Mets against the soft-tossing, and former right-handed pitcher for the Mets, Chris Young. Ian Kennedy who was originally scheduled to start tomorrow for the Royals, has been pushed back as he is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Former Met John Gant makes Braves roster.
Former New York Mets prospect John Gant has been informed he has made the Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster. The 23-year old right hander is expected to carve out a role in the Braves bullpen after having an eye-opening spring. Gant was acquired from the Mets along with right-handed pitcher Rob Whalen, last July for infielder’s Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson.
Gant is currently ranked as the Braves 22nd best prospect according to MLB.com and held a 3.18 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched this spring. The righty only walked two while striking out ten, and held opponents to a .233 average.
Above The Mendoza 