With only six days remaining until the new 2016 season begins next Sunday night in Kansas City, we are beginning to get some clarity as to what our Opening Day roster will look like. Here’s how it breaks down:

Starting Lineup

1. Curtis Granderson, RF
2. David Wright, 3B
3. Yoenis Cespedes, CF
4. Lucas Duda, 1B
5. Neil Walker, 2B
6. Michael Conforto, LF
7. Travis d’Arnaud, C
8. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

It looks like Asdrubal Cabrera will be ready to start the season on time, and in fact as of this writing the Mets are heading into the final week of Grapefruit League play with no significant injuries. Knock on wood.

Bench

1. Kevin Plawecki, C
2. Wilmer Flores, IF
3. Eric Campbell, IF
4. Juan Lagares, OF
5. Alejandro De Aza, OF

With apologies to Johnny Monell, barring any injury Kevin Plawecki should be the backup catcher for d’Arnaud to open the season. That doesn’t mean the Mets won’t still try and find a veteran backup with more experience. But until they do Plawecki will be in Flushing and not Las Vegas when the season starts.

The battle for the last bench spot between Eric Campbell and Matt Reynolds isn’t really a battle at all. Campbell is already on the 40-man roster, can field more positions, and the team believes he’s a better hitter than the numbers showed last season. Plus he’s a career .293 pinch hitter with a .426 on-base percentage. That’s a heck of a nice commodity to have on your bench. Reynolds is also on the 40, but he’s struggled this Spring and the only stats that matter in spring training is when your in a battle for a bench spot.

Juan Lagares is having a solid Spring and is bent on making the most of his opportunity as the team’s 4th outfielder. He’ll be in the lineup against all left-handed starters, but the role for Alejandro De Aza is a little less clear – especially for a $5.75 million dollar reserve. He could get time during the first two games against the Royals when the Mets will use a DH. There’s still a chance he gets moved and if that happens, say hello to Roger Bernadina for that 5th outfielder spot.

Starting Rotation

1. Matt Harvey, RHP
2. Noah Syndergaard, RHP
3. Jacob deGrom, RHP
4. Steven Matz, LHP
5. Bartolo Colon, RHP

Terry Collins says Noah Syndergaard will pitch the second game of the season so the rotation looks like Jacob deGrom will pitch the home opener, followed by Steven Matz and Bartolo Colon. It could change depending on the birth of deGrom’s first child. Zack Wheeler will likely push Colon to the bullpen when he returns from Tommy John surgery around July 1.

Bullpen

1. Jeurys Familia, RHP
2. Addison Reed, RHP
3. Antonio Bastardo, LHP
4. Jerry Blevins, LHP
5. Hansel Robles, RHP
6. Sean Gilmartin, LHP
7. Erik Goeddel, RHP

The first five spots are a lock, it’s the last two that have yet to be decided. I think in the end they will go with Gilmartin and Goeddel, especially if the latter is feeling 100 percent.

The Mets have a ton of depth in the bullpen so if anybody falters or gets hurt, look for Jim Henderson and Josh Smoker to be among the first ones to be called on. Both relievers impressed in camp and Terry Collins was taking notes. Henderson signed a minor league deal so he’s not on the 40. Don’t forget about lefty reliever Josh Edgin, who is projected to return around May 1.

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According to a report by Marc Carig of Newsday, manager Terry Collins is hoping to have most of his regulars in the lineup on Sunday, when the Mets play the Washington Nationals.

Various injuries, aches and sprains have kept Collins from fielding what should be his regular lineup so far this Spring.

But with a week to go until Opening Night it looks like Yoenis Cespedes, Asdrubal Cabrera, David Wright and Lucas Duda will all be in the lineup for tomorrow’s game and hopefully Michael Conforto could be in there too.

“I definitely feel a lot better and a lot looser,” Conforto said after missing three games with back stiffness. “And so I’m just anxious right now a little bit.”

Cespedes will be in the lineup after missing the past two games because of a twinge in his right shoulder, while Duda, who has been dealing with some neck stiffness is ready to go. “I’ll play tomorrow,” the first baseman said. “It’s no big deal.”

The team’a new shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera hasn’t played in a Grapefruit League game since straining the patellar tendon in his left knee on March 10. He went 2-for-5 in a minor-league game on Saturday and said his knee is fine and he’s ready to rejoin the team.

Wright is looking to play for the third time in four games as he continues to ease his way back into regular playing time.

It will be exciting to finally catch a glimpse of our Opening Night lineup on Sunday.

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Colorado Springs 6, Las Vegas 1

Fans who attended Opening Night at Cashman Field Friday were treated to a dominant performance — just not from the home team.

Behind seven strikeouts and only one earned run from former second-round pick Tyler Chatwood, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox downed the Las Vegas 51s, 6-1, in the team’s home opener.

The 51s’ bats were non-existent for most of the night, including the first four innings. It wasn’t until they had one out left in the fifth inning that the 51s notched an extra-base hit.

Left fielder Jamie Hoffman doubled and pinch hitter Reese Havens drove him in with a line drive to center field. The 51s offense once again fizzled after that.

Las Vegas’ four most ballyhooed hitters — catcher Travis d’Arnaud, first baseman Josh Satin, second baseman Wilmer Flores and third baseman Zach Lutz — went a combined 1-for-15.

The Sky Sox set the tone with three runs in the first-inning. Third baseman Nolan Arenado, the top prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization according to Baseball America, doubled and drove in a run in his first at-bat.

Colorado Springs scored one run in three of the next four innings, including a solo home run from ex-Chicago Cub Tyler Colvin in the fifth.

A crowd of 9,247 fans watched as Las Vegas fell to 5-4 on the year while Colorado Springs improved to 5-3. The 51s host the Sky Sox for the next three days in a row to complete the series.

Key Stats

Omar Quintanilla: 2-for-4

Carlos Torres: 3 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 HR

Greg Peavey: 2 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 R

Binghamton 15, New Hampshire 7

The B-Mets tied a franchise record by scoring 11 times in the fourth inning en route to a 15-7 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Friday night at NYSEG Stadium.

Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the fourth, Rhyne Hughes got the inning started by launching his first home run of the season over the left field wall. Hughes was the first of nine consecutive batters to reach base safely to start the inning. They also all eventually came around to score. Binghamton scored eleven times, collected seven hits, and used the help of five walks and two Fisher Cat fielding errors in the decisive inning.

New Hampshire had their way offensively as well. They began the game with three consecutive hits, and scored twice in the first inning. On the night they finished with seven runs on eighteen hits, however they left 16 men on base.

Binghamton’s first run was scored in the bottom of the second inning, as Cory Vaughn doubled home Juan Centeno. Both Centeno and Vaughn finished with three hits and three runs apiece, with Vaughn tallying four RBI as well. As a team Binghamton collected 14 base hits by seven different players, and 14 RBI by eight different players.

Mark Cohoon (2-0) got the win in relief. He pitched two innings after replacing starter Tyler Pill, and gave up one run on four hits.

Key Stats

Alonzo Harris: 2-for-6, 3 RBI, 1 R,

Juan Centeno: 3-for-5, 3 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI

Cory Vaughn: 3-for-4, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 BB

Tyler Pill: 4 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

(Team Reports)

Site Note: I’m looking for 2-3 writers who are hooked on the Mets Minor Leagues for special features, live game coverage, players interviews. Email me at GetMetsmerized@aol.com. Serious inquiries only.

The post Upper Minors: Torres Ineffective In Vegas 6-1 Loss, Vaughn Explodes In B-Mets 15-7 Win appeared first on Metsmerized.

Binghamton Mets (3-1) at Erie SeaWolves (2-2)

RHP Erik Goeddel vs. RHP Victor Larez

Monday, April 8, 2013 • Jerry Uht Park • Erie, PA • 6:35 PM

LAST GAME: The B-Mets dropped their first game of the season 13-3 against the Akron Aeros in the series finale. The loss was Binghamton’s worst since a 10-0 loss to the Bowie Baysox on July 20, 2012. Binghamton jumped out to a 2-0 lead with RBI doubles by Darrell Ceciliani and Blake Forsythe in the 3rd inning. Binghamton starter Tyler Pill cruised through the first five innings, but ran into trouble in the 6th. Akron chased Pill after the first four hitters reached base, and the rout was on. They scored four runs in the sixth, five more in the seventh and three in the eighth with the aid of 13 hits and four B-Met errors. Cole Cook earned the win in relief for the Aeros.

BINGHAMTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Erik Goeddel will make his first career start at the Double-A level. He spent all of 2012 with the St. Lucie Mets. He finished 5-6 with a 3.41 ERA as a member of the St. Lucie starting rotation. He posted a 1.36 ERA through the first two months of the 2012 season, and also finished the season on a strong note, winning three of his final four decisions. Goeddel was selected by the Mets in the 24th round of the 2010 draft out of UCLA.

AKRON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Victor Larez is starting his first season in the Eastern League in 2013. Last season he spent the season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers as a member of the bullpen. He dominated the Florida State League, going 4-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 35 games. Larez held his opponents to a .200 batting average. His last start came in 2011 in his first season in the FSL with Lakeland. Of his 175 career starts as a Minor Leaguer, 59 have come as a starter.

A GAME TO FORGET: Binghamton committed five errors in the field in yesterday’s loss to Akron, leading to four unearned runs. In the first three games of 2013, the B-Mets only committed only fielding error. The last time Binghamton made five errors came against the Erie SeaWolves on 8/31/11.

RUNS SCORED: Through four games in 2013, the B-Mets rank 10th in the league in runs scored (14). Half of those runs were scored on 4/6 in their victory over Akron. Despite their 3-1 record, they have a run differential of -6. Binghamton starting pitchers have a 3.74 ERA.

HARRIS’S HITTING STREAK: Outfielder Alonzo Harris has started his Double-A career on a four-game hitting streak. In the first series against Akron, Harris went 5-for-17 with two doubles. He has hit in the lead-off spot in all four games. In 116 games with St. Lucie last season, he hit .287. He was slotted as the lead-off man 92 different times. He ranked third in the Florida State League with 40 stolen bases.

LACK OF THE LONG BALL: Josh Rodriguez hit the only home run of the season so far for the B-Mets on Opening Night in Akron. That lone round-tripper has them tied for last (Harrisburg) in the entire league. Both Binghamton and Harrisburg are 3-1.

LAST YEAR VS. ERIE: In 2012, Binghamton went 10-4 against the Erie SeaWolves, the best mark against any team in the Eastern League by winning percentage. They went 5-2 at NYSEG Stadium, and also finished 5-2 last year when playing on the road in Erie.

ERIE OPENING SERIES: The SeaWolves opened up 2013 at home with a four-game series against the Altoona Curve. After winning 10-6 on Opening Night, Altoona won the next two games. Erie was able to salvage a series split with a 5-2 victory yesterday. Offensively, Erie is led by Hernan Perez with nine hits, and Daniel Fields with five RBI. On the mound, they rank fourth in the league in ERA (3.50) and second in strikeouts (37).

NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets continue their three- game series in Erie tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. Opening Day starter Rafael Montero will make his second start of 2013, as he faces LHP Kyle Lobstein. Both pitchers won their first start of the season.

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The minor league season kicks off this evening for all of the Mets minor league affiliates, aside from the short season teams (Kingsport and Brooklyn), which kick their seasons off in June.

Here are some brief previews for tonight’s Opening Day games:

Las Vegas 51s vs. Sacramento River Cats

Location: Raley Field, Sacramento

Time: 10:05 PM

Zack Wheeler takes the hill for the 51s in tonight’s matchup, and Travis d’Arnaud will be behind the plate. The projected starters are Jamie Hoffmann, Juan Lagares, and Andrew Brown in the outfield, and Wilmer Flores, Omar Quintanilla, Zach Lutz, Brandon Hicks on the infield. The game is available on milb.tv.

Binghamton Mets vs. Akron Aeros

Location: Canal Park, Akron

Time: 6:35 PM

Rafael Montero gets the ball in tonight’s game against the Akron Aeros. The projected lineup should include Allan Dykstra, Wilfredo Tovar, Daniel Muno, and Richard Lucas on the infield; Juan Centeno behind the plate; And some combination of Darrell Ceciliani, Alonzo Harris, Cesar Puello, and Cory Vaughn in the outfield. The game is available on milb.tv.

St. Lucie Mets vs. Jupiter Hammerheads

Location: Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie

Time: 6:35 PM

The weather reports look shaky for the St. Lucie opener later today, but Hansel Robles will be on the hill if and when play begins. The projected lineup should include Cam Maron behind the dish; Aderlin Rodriguez, Matt Reynolds, Brian Harrison, and Rylan Sandoval on the infield; Rounding out the outfield should be Travis Taijeron, Gilbert Gomez and Dustin Lawley; Look for T.J. Rivera to possibly be utilized as the designated hitter.

Savannah Sand Gnats vs. Rome Braves

Location: Historic Grayson Stadium, Savannah

Time: 6:35 PM

Stadium Promotions: Help the Sand Gnats celebrate opening night with FREE Gnats Magnets Schedules presented by Coca-Cola to the first first 1,000 families, and a fantastic Fireworks show after the game.

The projected Sand Gnat starters for tonight’s game are:

C—Kevin Plawecki

1B—Jayce Boyd

2B—Chad Zurcher

3B—Cole Frenzel

SS—Phillip Evans

LF—Stefan Sabol

CF—Brandon Nimmo

RF—Eudy Pina

DH—Greg Pron

P—Matt Bowman

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ESPN Sunday Night Baseball will kick off the 2012 season with their Opening Night telecast featuring the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals versus Jose Reyes and the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, April 4, at 7 p.m.

This season will also mark the debut of analyst Terry Francona, who ironically replaces Bobby Valentine and joins play-by-play commentator Dan Shulman and analyst Orel Hershiser in the Sunday Night Baseball booth. Bobby V of course, replaces Francona as the new Red Sox skipper.

Not surprisingly, the Mets will not be appearing during any of their national broadcasts, but they have yet to determine their August and September broadcast schedule.

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Every game has positives you can take from it, yes even losses. Here are two that I felt were worth considering.

Carlos Beltran – First and foremost was the play of Carlos Beltran. Not only did he drive in the Mets’ first run of the new season when he lined a double off Josh Johnson in the seventh inning, but he also looked pretty good running around the bases. Defensively, Beltran looked like he’d been playing right field his entire career. He moved extremely well out there and made a nice play charging the ball and powering a perfect throw to the plate. Good news all around.

Brad Emaus – The winner of the lamest second base battle in franchise history, didn’t do anything of note at the plate, but he did show me enough in playing the position to make me wonder why everyone was so worried about his defense in the first place. He mad several nice plays including a diving stab to prevent a hit, and looked fluid while helping to complete a double play. If he can hit as well as he did in the minors, still a big if, he’ll be more than adequate until Reese Havens takes his rightful place at second base late this season or next spring.

Plenty of negative vibes, but these were the most noteworthy.

Mike Pelfrey – On the flip-side, there were a lot of awful performances for the Mets last night, spear-headed by our quasi-ace Mike Pelfrey. An ace he’s not and an ace he will never be. I don’t know what was worse, Omar Minaya proclaiming Pelfrey the number two pitcher in December of 2008, or Sandy Alderson proclaiming him the ace in December of 2010. The worst thing about Pelfrey may not be last night’s start, but how it will effect him emotionally. His ruts always came in bunches and always began with a particularly bad effort. When the dust settled, Pelfrey couldn’t even complete five innings. He was charged with five earned runs on four hits and four walks over 4 1/3 innings, while striking out two. Maybe it was just the Marlins and this was nothing to worry about. He has a 5.63 ERA in 13 career starts against them, but it’s not going to get any easier facing up against Roy Halladay next Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.

David Wright – If Wright’s goal this season was to cut down on the strikeouts and make more contact, he surely got off to a fishy start last night. After whiffing 161 times in 2010, a career worst, Wright has said that he is dedicated to putting the high whiff totals behind him this season. I’ll cut him some slack because of who he batted against, but he did look particularly bad on two strikeouts that capped off his 0-4 start to the season.

Pedro Beato – You look at the boxscore and you’ll wonder why I’m even picking on Beato after he tossed two scoreless innings. I’ll tell you why. Although Beato only allowed three hits, he was getting crushed. His blazing fastball was flat and they were teeing off on it. He was spared a disastrous outing only because of two huge grabs in the outfield including one that was barely contained by the stadium, and two diving stops in the infield including a laser by Hanley Ramirez that was turned for a double play. This was one story where the stats didn’t tell the story, but an observant eye on the game did. It could have been his first game jitters, remember Beato never pitched above Double-A before last night.

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It was April 13, 2009. Citi Field was hosting its first regular season game between the Mets and the Padres. The team was intact and ready to make a run at the division title. The Phillies’ two-year reign as National League East champions was going to be a fading memory once the Mets steamrolled over the opposition. A funny thing happened on the way to the coronation. Citi Field had an uninvited guest on Opening Night as a cat found its way onto the field near the Mets dugout.

Now I wouldn’t have had a problem if this orange cat had been a crimefighter. If his alter ego was Clark Cat and he worked at a major metropolitan newspaper, then all would be fine. I would have felt safe with him running around on the field. I’d assume he was trying to protect the Mets.

However, this cat was clearly not super in any way. In fact, it may have been related to the cat that supposedly cursed the Chicago Cubs in 1969 at Shea Stadium. At Citi Field, photographers captured the cat as he worked his way onto the warning track near the on-deck circle. Notice the similarities between that picture and the picture of the black cat walking near the Cubs dugout in 1969.

The Citi Field cat ran behind Mets third baseman David Wright as he was on deck. The 1969 black cat walked behind Cubs third baseman Ron Santo as he was on deck. Wright is arguably the best third baseman in Mets history. Similarly, Santo is considered to be the best third baseman in Cubs history. After the black cat made its appearance at Shea, the Cubs went into a freefall as the Mets passed them in the standings and eventually went on to win their first World Series.

The Citi Field cat decided to take a jog on the Mets side of the field. The Mets were healthy before the cat cursed them. Now half the team is getting hurt, both on the field (Niese and Sheffield today) and coming off the field (Luis “I now use two hands, but not on the handrail” Castillo).

Forget the trainers and medical staff employed by the 2009 Mets. The CAT-astrophe that this season has become is all due in part to the events that transpired in the third inning on Opening Night at Citi Field on the 13th of April. (It had to be on the 13th as well!)

Cats have a way of deciding the fate of baseball teams in New York. It’s too bad that this particular tabby chose to curse the Mets this season instead of the rest of the National League!

Editor’s note:  This was first posted by Ed Leyro on the Mets site Zombies and Comics and Bears…Oh My!

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