Good Morning Mets Fans. We are officially one week away from opening day as the team wraps up spring training this week. The Metropolitans will be playing in split-squad games for the last time this spring and they feature a pair of rotation hopefuls. At 1:05 PM ET, Zack Wheeler will take the ball for the Mets as he will face off against Tom Koehler and the Miami Marlins. This game will not be broadcasted on SNY or WOR, unfortunately.
At 1:10 PM ET, Seth Lugo will toe the rubber for the Mets and will be opposed by Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals. This game can be heard on WOR.
LATEST METS NEWS
Yesterday, Matt Harvey had his best outing of the spring thus far. He pitched six innings while allowing two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four in the team’s 8-2 victory over Atlanta. Most encouraging for Harvey was that his command was on point and his slider looked phenomenal, duping opposing batters throughout his outing. The velocity was there as well as he topped out at 97-MPH with his fastball that showed some great cutting movement. Things have quickly seemed to have turned around for Matt and it could not come at a better time with opening day just one week away. Read more from Mike Puma in the NY Post.
Juan Lagares is expected to receive an MRI on his strained oblique today to see just how serious of an issue this may be. If the center fielder is unable to make the opening day roster, it is expected that Michael Conforto will travel north with the team at the end of camp in a possible back-up role. The Mets 23-year-old outfielder has had a very nice spring, hitting to a .340/.364/.623 batting line to go along with three homers and five RBI in 53 at-bats. Read more from Connor O’Brien here.
With Steven Matz currently dealing with more elbow issues, Mets manager, Terry Collins advises that the team may have to go with their back-up plan to start the 2017 season. It seemingly will mean that two of the three fifth starter candidates could make the opening day roster if Matz is unable to start the season. Robert Gsellman seeming already has one spot locked up. The starts today by both Wheeler and Lugo may determine who will take the spot that may be vacated by Matz to start the season. Read more from Kristie Ackert in the NYDN.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
Stephen Strasburg has been named the Washington Nationals opening day starter, read more from Chelsea Janes in the Washington Post.
The Atlanta Braves shortstop, Dansby Swanson spoke on the different focus he head this year going into spring training compared to his rookie season. Read more from Bill Whitehead on theAJC.com.
Miami Marlins pitcher, Wei-Yin Chen is looking for a more productive season in his second year with the club. Read more from Andre C. Fernandez in the Miami Herald.
Former Philadelphia Phillies General Manager and current Boston Red Sox first base coach, Ruben Amaro Jr. still keeps tabs on his old team. He shows a keen interest in the prospects he acquired for the Phillies in the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers. Read more from Jim Salisbury on CSNPhilly.com.
RECENTLY ON MMO
Dilip Sridhar advises of the importance of not overreacting to a caught stealing rate.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Mets Daddy discusses #91-95 of the team’s top 100 prospects.
TODAY IN METS HISTORY
On this day in 1979, the Mets traded pitcher Nino Espinosa to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for infielders Richie Hebner and Jose Moreno.
Mets players born on this day include, Matt Harvey (28), Brandon Nimmo (24), Michael Cuddyer (38), Johnny Monell (31) and Bill Sudakis (71).
