Category: Spring Training
Final: Yankees 4 – Mets 4 (10 innings)
The Yankees and Mets played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings this afternoon. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- In Jacob deGrom’s first start of the spring he went 3 innings, while allowing 5 hits on 1 ER and 2 K’s.
- Curtis Granderson made his spring debut as well, and had a nice day at the plate going 2-3 with a run scored.
- Yoenis Cespedes started his first game in CF, and had a 2-3 day at the plate with an RBI.
- Kevin Plawecki was 2-4 with a run scored.
- Addison Reed and Jim Henderson each pitched a perfect frame.
- Antonio Bastardo blew the save in the 9th allowing, two home runs to two Yankees Minor Leaguers.
- Former Mets prospect Cesar Puello who is now with the Yankees, went 0-3 with a strikeout.
deGrom struggled with his control for the most part this afternoon, as he threw 46 pitches in 3 innings and his velocity hovered between 91-93 mph. But for his first start of the spring, health means more than results at this point, and I would put my money on deGrom having his best stuff come Opening Night. The return of Jim Henderson continues as he had another clean inning of work and is making his case to make the 25-man roster out of spring. You can’t help but root for Henderson as besides for his latest rash of injuries, has a very good track record from his time with Milwaukee. The 9th inning ought to leave a bad taste in Bastardo’s mouth after allowing two home runs to a pair of minor leaguers to tie the game. Hopefully Bastardo can right the ship and move on quickly after this one, as he is expected to be a major piece to the Mets bullpen this season.
- The Mets will stay at Tradition Field for tomorrow’s afternoon tilt against the St. Louis Cardinals. Noah Syndergaard will make his spring debut for the Mets, and face Cardinals southpaw Jaime Garcia. First pitch is at 1:10 pm et and can be seen on SNY or MLB.tv.
Mets vs. Yankees lineups 1:10 pm et
Yankees:
1. Didi Gregorius (L) SS
2. Aaron Hicks (S) LF
3. Chase Headley (S) 3B
4. Dustin Ackley (L) 2B
5. Gary Sanchez (R) C
6. Chris Parmelee (L) DH
7. Deibinson Romero (R) 1B
8. Cesar Puello (R) RF
9. Dustin Fowler (L) CF
SP: Ivan Nova RHP
Mets:
1. Curtis Granderson (L) RF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes (R) CF
4. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
5. Neil Walker (S) 2B
6. Travis d’Arnaud (R) C
7. Alejandro De Aza (L) LF
8. Kevin Plawecki (R) DH
9. Luis Rivera (R) 3B
SP: Jacob deGrom RHP
Today’s game can be seen on SNY, MLB Network, and MLB.tv. The game can also be heard on WOR 710 AM.
A Deeper Look into Mets Killers…
There are certain players that I have not grown fond of the Mets facing over the past several seasons, and I tend to call them Mets killers. These individual players are always having success against the Mets no matter how their individual season is going. What is even more frustrating is for the life of me I can’t figure out ways to get them out sometimes or I know the inevitable is about to happen in a high leverage situation. I listed some notable Mets killers on the season schedule this season that the Mets will be facing. I have provided stats for each player against the Mets and how those statistics translate to other teams in the league. To qualify for the list each player has to have played in at least 20 games against the Mets, and some teams have multiple players included on the list. Pictured is the all-time Met killer Chipper Jones, because nobody would be more appropriate to headline this article, right? Continue reading
Final Braves 5- Mets-4
Matt Harvey #33 of the New York Mets throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium on March 8, 2016 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Photo Credit: Getty Images / Stacy Revere
The Atlanta Braves rallied and defeated the New York Mets by the final score of 5-4 at Champion Stadium this afternoon. For a full box score recap follow the link below…
Game Notes:
- In Matt Harvey’s spring debut, he threw 3 innings allowing 3 hits on 1 ER with 2 walks and 1 K.
- In Juan Lagares return to the Mets lineup, he went 2-2 with 2 RBI’s.
- Wilmer Flores had a day at the plate going 3-3 with an RBI. He also committed an error in the field.
- Michael Conforto was 1-2 with a run scored.
- Travis Taijeron was 1-2 with a strikeout. Taijeron is still hitting a scorching .429 this spring.
- Ruben Tejada had a rough day at the plate going 0-3 with 2 K’s. He is batting a lowly .100 so far this spring.
- Rafael Montero pitched a inning of relief allowing 2 hits and an ER.
Happy Harvey Day everyone! Matt’s first start on the mound was good not great. Harvey breezed through the first inning with only 7 pitches thrown, and then found himself in a jam due to a Flores throwing error in the second. Harvey escaped the second inning jam with a 4-6-3 double play. He was soon in another jam, after loading the bases with a pair of singles and a walk, with one out in the third. Nick Markakis drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and a nice throw by Roger Bernadina nailed the runner advancing to third to get out of the inning. Harvey’s velocity constantly sat around 95-96 MPH this afternoon for his first start. A major contrast to his debut last season where he was throwing 99 MPH, which was extremely nerve wrecking for his first start back off a major operation. All in all can’t wait for Harvey Day’s to start counting in the standings, as I expect a big season out of Matt this year, especially with the further development of his nasty slider.
Lagares & Flores each had great days at the plate. It seems the Wilmer Flores chant is making its way around different Florida parks all spring as Mets fans were very enthusiastic to see him today, and he delivered when literally called upon.
Emilio Bonifacio capped off a 2-run, 9th inning rally by the Braves with an RBI single to come back, and defeat the Mets this afternoon. A known Mets killer, Bonifacio has 5 hits in 7 at-bats against the Mets this spring.
- The Mets return to Port St. Lucie to face the New York Yankees at 1:10 pm et. The game can be seen on SNY, MLB Network, and MLB.tv. The game can also be heard on WOR 710 AM.
- RHP Jacob deGrom will make his spring debut against Yankees RHP Ivan Nova.
Who is Travis Taijeron?
Who is Travis Taijeron? Many of you might ask that question to yourself recently when reading Mets box scores, or watching Spring Training action so far. Taijeron has done nothing but mash early in Grapefruit League action, to a batting average of .417. Continue reading
Mets vs. Braves Lineups 1:05 pm ET
Mets:
1. Roger Bernadina (L) RF
2. Ruben Tejada (R) SS
3. Michael Conforto (L) LF
4. Wilmer Flores (R) 3B
5. Johnny Monell (L) C
6. Eric Campbell (R) 1B
7. Juan Lagares (R) CF
8. Marc Krauss (L) DH
9. Dilson Herrera (R) 2B
SP: Matt Harvey RHP
Braves:
1. Ender Inciarte (L) CF
2. Erick Aybar (S) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Nick Markakis (L) RF
5. Adonis Garcia (R) 3B
6. A.J. Pierzynski (L) C
7. Nick Swisher (S) DH
8. Daniel Castro (R) 2B
9. Mallex Smith (L) LF
SP: Matt Wisler RHP
Today’s game will not be broadcast on television but can be streamed through the Braves radio network if you have an MLB.tv subscription.
Game Notes:
Today’s available pitchers for the Mets: RHP Chase Bradford, LHP Dario Alvarez, and RHP Rafael Montero.
VS BRAVES: This is the second of three scheduled meetings this spring between the Mets & Braves. This will be the first of two meetings at Champion Stadium, with the other meeting occurring March 26.
MATT HARVEY: This is Matt Harvey’s first start of the spring. Harvey produced a 13-8 record and 2.71 ERA in 29 regular-season starts in 2015. He ultimately logged 216 innings, including the postseason, the most ever by a pitcher in his first season back from Tommy John surgery.
JUAN LAGARES: is in today’s starting lineup against the Braves playing CF and hitting 7th. Lagares has been out of action for the past several days due to a dental problem. Lagares is 1-4 this spring and is hitting .250.
TRAVIS TAIJERON: is on today’s travel roster for the Mets. He is 5-12 this spring with a double, a triple, and 4 RBI’s. He has a .417/.462/.667 line in Grapefruit League action.
ROGER BERNADINA: had been dealing with a visa issue that delayed his arrival to Mets camp, is in today’s starting lineup for the Mets hitting leadoff and playing RF…Bernadina put up a .276/.383/.466 slash with 15 home runs and 20 steals in 447 plate appearances for the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate in 2015.
Mets Outfield Update
- Terry Collins told reporters this afternoon, that Curtis Granderson is expected to play and be back in the lineup for Wednesday afternoon’s tilt against the New York Yankees.
- Yoenis Cespedes will play in his first game in center field this spring, on Wednesday afternoon as well. Cespedes has been limited to playing in a DH role thus far.
- Juan Lagares is on the travel roster for tommrrow afternoon’s ball game in Orlando against the Braves. Lagares has been out of action for the past several days due to a dental problem. Expect Lagares to draw the start in center field.
Final: Mets 7 – Tigers 3
The Mets defeated the Detroit Tigers at Tradition Field this afternoon by the final score of 7 to 3. A full box score recap is provided at the link below…
Game Notes:
- Lucas Duda had a day at the plate going 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.
- Neil Walker (pictured) hit his first home run in a Mets uniform with a solo shot in the bottom half of the fourth.
- Asdrubal Cabrera went 1-3 this afternoon with a 2-run single in the bottom of the third.
- Yoenis Cespedes had his second RBI of the spring with his RBI single in the bottom of the third.
- Bartolo Colon pitched 3 innings allowing 4 hits on 1 ER and 2 K’s.
- Jeurys Familia pitched a perfect frame with 2 K’s.
The Mets got a lot of help today from their projected starters offensively. Lucas Duda swung the bat exceptionally well, as his lone out was also hit very hard. It was nice to see Neil Walker get his first home run in a Mets uniform this spring when he belted a shot to right field in the bottom of the 4th. Both Duda and Walker’s current batting average’s sit at .375. Bartolo Colon had a tough first inning as he allowed a leadoff triple to Anthony Gose and an RBI single shortly after to Casey McGehee. He was pitching from the stretch the rest of the inning but seemed to get it under control as the inning wore on. After laboring through the first inning Colon seemed to find his grove and pitched a solid 2 innings thereafter. Wilmer Flores made some nice plays defensively at third base this afternoon, and I believe he is comfortable enough at that position to ease everyone’s worries. Watching Jeurys Familia pitch is such a thing of beauty. He is so smooth with his mechanics and he looked untouchable this afternoon with the way he was pitching. With a better bullpen to bridge the gap this season, it would not shock me if Familia approached 50 saves.
Could Herrera force Mets hand?
Could Dilson Herrera possibly force the Mets hand this spring? Herrera’s spring start has gotten off as well as he could’ve expected, and he is making every case to head back up north with the big club next month. Unfortunately for Dilson there are a lot of other moves that need to be made for him to make the club straight out of Spring Training. Continue reading
Mets vs. Cardinals Lineups 1:05 pm ET
Mets:
1. Dilson Herrera (R) 2B
2. Ruben Tejada (R) 3B
3. Michael Conforto (L) LF
4. Kevin Plawecki (R) C
5. Marc Krauss (L) 1B
6. Matt Reynolds (R) SS
7. Danny Muno (S) DH
8. Travis Taijeron (R) RF
9. Ty Kelly (S) CF
SP: Steven Matz LHP
Cardinals:
1. Tommy Pham (R) CF
2. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF
3. Matt Holliday (R) DH
4. Brandon Moss (L) 1B
5. Jedd Gyorko (R) SS
6. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
7. Carlos Peguero (L) LF
8. Brayan Pena (S) C
9. Patrick Wisdom (R) 3B
SP: Adam Wainwright RHP
Today’s game can be seen on MLB.tv or heard on WOR 710 AM.
Game Notes:
Today’s available Pitchers for both squads:
METS: LHP Steven Matz, RHP Hansel Robles, RHP Logan Verrett, RHP Paul Sewald
CARDINALS: RHP Adam Wainwright, RHP Juan Gonzalez, RHP Jeremy Hefner, LHP Tyler Lyons, RHP Seth Maness, RHP Sam Tuivailala, RHP Jordan Walden
VS. THE CARDINALS: The Mets will visit Jupiter for the first of two trips this afternoon…The Cardinals will make three trips to Port St. Lucie during Grapefruit League play (March 10, March 12 and March 25).
SPLIT SQUAD: Today is the first split squad of the Spring for the Mets… They’ll also play a split squad on March 24 vs. Houston and at Boston
LHP STEVEN MATZ: Will make his Grapefruit League debut on the road in Jupiter vs. the Cardinals…Was 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA (nine earned runs/35.2 innings) in six starts in the major leagues in 2015…During the postseason, Matz was 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA (six earned runs/14.2 innings) in three postseason starts (one each in the NLDS, NLCS and World Series).
METS PITCHING: Did not allow a run for 13.0 consecutive innings from the second inning of Saturday’s game with Houston through the fifth inning of Sunday’s game with the Braves.
Above The Mendoza 