Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (5-6-3) vs. NEW YORK METS (7-6-1)
Thursday, March 18, 2021 • 1:10 p.m.
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
LHP Jon Lester (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (1-0, 3.24)
SNY
Recapping Yesterday
The Mets lost 3-2 to the Marlins yesterday thanks to a Marlins rally in the bottom of the 9th. The Marlins have now improved to 8-2 this spring, but of course, none of this matters (this year more than any other year since teams can end an inning after a certain amount of pitches, etc).
For the Mets, the story of the day belongs to Joey Lucchesi who pitched 3.0 innings, allowing 2 walks and struck out 4 as he continues to make a strong case to break camp as the team’s 5th starter. Tarpley also continued his strong spring yesterday, he allowed a hit and a walk but struck out 2 and lowered his ERA to 1.50. The Mets didn’t have a tremendous day at the plate but Almore hit a big 2 run double and improved his OPS to .786 and Francisco Lindor continued his hot streak and 2-3 at the plate.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo – LF
- Kevin Pillar – LF
- J.D. Davis – 3B
- James McCann – C
- Jonathan Villar – 2B
- Luis Guillorme – SS
- Albert Almora Jr. – CF
- Brandon Drury – 1B
- Tomas Nido – C
Nationals Lineup
- Victor Robles – CF
- Juan Soto – RF
- Trea Turner – SS
- Josh Bell – 1B
- Kyle Schwarber – LF
- Alex Avila – C
- Carter Kieboom – 3B
- Luis Garcia – 2B
- Yadiel Hernandez – DH
What We’re Watching For Today
Marcus Stroman will go out for his 4th start this spring as he continues to build his arm strength for the beginning of the season. He was above 50 pitches last time and is seeing slight increases with his velocity as his starts go on. He has allowed 3 runs from 7 hits and 2 walks over 8.1 innings which is a 3.24 ERA with a 1.080 WHIP.
For the second day in a row the Mets not exactly going with the Opening Day Starting lineup. Brandon Nimmo is back from his day off at the top of the order and he’ll be followed by Pillar who continues to get an extended look. McCann is actually in the cleanup sot and we’ll get more of Villar, Guillorme and Almora after him. The Mets are also making sure Nido gets more cuts putting him as the DH today. It is worth noting, this is the second day in a row Dominic Smith is not in the lineup after being scratched with general wrist soreness yesterday.
Citi Field will be open to Mets fans at the home opener on April 8, the Mets say capacity will be 8,492 to begin the season. You can find more info here.
Let’s Go Mets!
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