New York Mets (3-2) @ Washington Nationals (2-3)
Monday, March 8, 2020 • 1:05 p.m.
FITTEAM Ballpark • West Palm Beach, FL
RHP Jordan Yamamoto (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Joe Ross (0-0, 2.45)
Recapping Sunday:
It’s the second week of spring training! We started to see the hallmark of the second week on Sunday: starting pitchers getting three innings of work and bullpen hurlers making their second appearance. There’s now a third calling card of the second week – baseball games lasting nine innings.
Marcus Stroman had a bumpy start Sunday by allowing two runs in the first inning, but then settled down and pitched two more innings of scoreless baseball. After the game, he commented that his fastball usually takes longer to get to 93-94 mph than it has this season and that it’s a good sign. He was followed by Aaron Loup and Jerry Blevins, who each allowed a run, and Jacob Barnes bounced back by not allowing a run. The side-armer, Trevor Hildenberger, struck out the side and Stephen Nogosek struck out the side while allowing three walks. Daniel Zamora, also battling for a bullpen spot, allowed a hit and nothing else. So, it was a good day on the mound for the Mets.
On offense, Pete Alonso continued his hot spring by picking up another hit and increasing his OPS to 1.135. Kevin Pillar increased his spring OPS to 1.825 with a double (he also had some real questionable defense in the game), and Jonathan Villar absolutely destroyed a baseball for a three-run homer.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo — CF
- Francisco Lindor — SS
- Michael Conforto — RF
- Dominic Smith — 1B
- J.D. Davis — 3B
- Luis Guillorme — 2B
- Patrick Mazeika — C
- Khalil Lee — LF
- Brett Baty — DH
Nationals Lineup
- Victor Robles — CF
- Trea Turner — SS
- Juan Soto — RF
- Josh Bell — DH
- Ryan Zimmerman — 1B
- Kyle Schwarber — LF
- Starlin Castro — 2B
- Alex Avila — C
- Carter Kieboom — 3B
What We Are Looking For Monday:
Yamamoto will make his second start as he continues to compete for the last rotation spot (both David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi did well their first time around last week). The right-hander looked great in his first start, scattering two hits and recording a strikeout in one inning.
After Yamamoto, we’ll get to see highly touted prospect Matthew Allan get some work in! He’ll be followed by Dellin Betances, who is looking to rebound after a poor first outing.
On offense, we’ll get to see a good amount of regulars in the lineup despite it being a road game (without split squads this year, it’s going to be the norm). The Mets will open up with Nimmo/Lindor/Conforto/Smith, which on days when Alonso doesn’t play could easily be the order’s top four. Nimmo is off to a hot start and Smith is coming off a game in which he hit a homer. Mets prospect Brett Baty is the starting DH and hopefully will get at least two plate appearances.
Check 213 Miles from Shea! Let’s Go Mets!
