Ed Delany/MMO
The Mets are now 1-1-1 in Spring Training games this year as yesterday’s game with the Astros ended in a tie! The Mets scored three runs off two hits, the big one being a three-run bomb by David Thompson who flashed power in his 2017 minor league campaign and is getting a lot of playing time early this spring. The Astros mustered only three runs from 12 hits.
Today the Mets will be splitting the squad with some of the bigger names staying home to face the Tigers and another squad goes out to face the Braves. The home game will be on SNY at 1:10 p.m. and the road game starts at 1:05 p.m. with Gameday audio available via Braves broadcast.
Game 1: Tigers vs Mets
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo (DH)
- J.D. Davis (1B)
- Robinson Cano (2B)
- Michael Conforto (RF)
- Wilson Ramos (C)
- Amed Rosario (SS)
- Gregor Blanco (CF)
- Rajai Davis (LF)
- Arismendy Alcantara (3B)
Starting Pitcher – Zack Wheeler
Zack Wheeler will make his spring training debut today. He had a strong 2018 where he went 12-7 over 29 games and 182.1 innings with a 3.31 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 1.124 WHIP and 111 ERA+ (those last four stats all being career highs). He also survived a trade deadline rumor fest and a smaller trade rumor fest this year as well. Towards the end of last season he started to ramp things up giving us a glimpse of a formidable 1-2-3 at the top of the lineup.
Robert Gsellman, Jeurys Familia, Seth Lugo, Justin Wilson, Eric Hanhold, and Kyle Dowdy are also expected to pitch.
Also of note is Mets No. 3 prospect Ronny Mauricio is on the bench roster for this game, he’s just 17 years old.
Game 2: Mets @ Braves
Mets Lineup
- Juan Lagares (CF)
- Luis Guillorme (2B)
- Pete Alonso (1B)
- Rymer Liriano (RF)
- Devin Mesoraco (C)
- Adeiny Hechavarria (SS)
- Gavin Cecchini (3B)
- David Thompson (DH)
- Braxton Lee (LF)
If you watch spring training games to find the depth the team has, then this game and this starter pitcher is probably the one you’re looking for. At the end of 2018, Corey Oswalt was quite high on the depth chart for starting pitchers after Jason Vargas if Gsellman and Lugo stay in the pen. With the Dunn trade and the Kilome injury, Oswalt had to worry about Flexen and Gagnon. Now Oswalt is competing for a depth position against Lockett and Santaigo.
Oswalt with 3-3 over 17 games and 12 starts last year logging 64.2 innings with a 5.85 ERA, 5.70 FIP, 1.376 WHIP and 63 ERA+. Baseball Reference right now is projecting that this upcoming season he’ll post an ERA of 4.72 and a WHIP of 1.305.
Hector Santiago, Chris Flexen, Stephen Villines, Drew Gagnon, and Casey Coleman are also scheduled to pich.
Things To Watch For In No Particular Order:
- According to lists that were circulating over the weekend, the Tigers are going to see major league level pitching today. After Wheeler they’ll see Familia, Lugo and Gsellman. If this holds out to be true, it could be a mini-preview of things to come for the Mets this year
- Also on the lists circulating this weekend was Justin Wilson. Wilson was brought in as another lefty in the bullpen. He has a better position to break camp due to his contract forcing Zamora and Avilan into a battle for a roster spot.
- The first 6 batters in the home lineup, outside of Nimmo with the DH tag, could very well be a major league lineup during a game this year.
- David Thompson is getting a start at DH on the road today continuing a long look the Mets are giving him early this spring.
- All the outfielders on NRI’s fighting for a roster spot when the team breaks for Queens are starting today (Davis, Liriano, Blanco)
The Mets can double their spring win total today! Not that any of that matters.
Check 213 Miles From Shea for more Mets insights, including our preview of NRI’s in camp!
