MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Nationals, 1:05 PM - Let's Get It On!

The New York Mets (0-0) begin their 2016 Grapefruit League season on Thursday afternoon against the Washington Nationals (1-0) in Viera, FL at 1:05 PM ET.

It’s the first of six spring matchups with the Nats and the first of three at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. The game will not air SNY, but can be heard on WOR 710 AM.

RHP Rafael Montero gets the start for the Mets and will oppose RHP Max Scherzer for the Nats. Also expected to pitch in the game for the Mets are RHP Gabriel Ynoa, RHP Jeff Walters and RHP Paul Sewald.

Juan Lagares and Dilson Herrera both hit solo home runs as the Blue squad defeated the Orange squad, 4-3 on Tuesday. Lagares finished the game 2-2 with his homer and a stolen base.

Zack Thornton pitched 2.0 scoreless innings for the Blue team and struck out five while allowing one hit. Matt Reynolds, Dominic Smith and T.J. Rivera all collected two hits apiece for the Orange team. LHP Josh Smoker worked 2.0 scoreless innings for the Orange team and struck out one.

Michael Conforto went 1-2 and drove in the first run of the intrasquad game on Tuesday afternoon and is in today’s lineup batting third. As a rookie in 2015, Conforto batted .270 with 14 doubles, nine home runs and 26 RBI in 56 games. He was named to the 2015 Topps Rookie All-Star team.

John Franco will be a guest instructor at camp from March 7-11 and Mookie Wilson will be a guest instructor in camp from March 21-25.

Manager Terry Collins enters his sixth season at the helm of the Mets. He was named the 2015 NL Manager of the Year by The Sporting News, but finished third in the NL Manager of the Year voting by the BBWAA after leading the Mets to the World Series last season.

The Mets will host the Miami Marlins at Tradition Field on Friday, during which Logan Verrett, Buddy Carlyle, Zack Thornton and Jerry Blevins are scheduled to pitch.