Mar 11, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Dominican Republic left fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a two-run home run against Venezuela during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Friday’s games

Korea vs. Dominican Republic at loanDepot park in Miami, 6:30 p.m. ET on FS2

Korea is the only team in the quarterfinals that lost twice, and it advanced by winning a three-way tiebreaker with Australia and Chinese Taipei. (Something seemed wrong to me at first about the runs allowed/outs recorded tiebreaker, but after some thought I like it.)

Korea is trying to make it to the semifinals for the first time since 2009, when it lost to Japan in the finals. It is facing a deep Dominican Republic team, looking for its second WBC title (2013, Robinson Canó was MVP).

Juan Soto is 5-for-15 with two home runs, four RBIs, five walks and a stolen base. He is one of five players on the team with two home runs (Junior Caminero, Oneil Cruz, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.). The DR outscored its opponents 41-10 while going 4-0 in pool play. Huascar Brazobán has thrown 2 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless ball. He’s struck out four (including Nicaragua’s Mark Vientos) and walked one.

USA vs. Canada at Daikin Park in Houston, 8 p.m. ET on FOX

Team USA survived a scare, and now Nolan McLean (a shaky outing vs. Italy) might get to pitch again. McLean, before the tournament, was named the starter should the Americans make it to the final. Clay Holmes (three scoreless innings, six strikeouts vs. Great Britain) is returning to the Mets.  Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge have hit two homers apiece.

The United States is trying to win its second WBC (2017, Marcus Stroman was MVP) and it will have to go through Canada and Marlins outfielder Owen Caissie (7-for-14, a home run, a 1.458 OPS). Jared Young is 1-for-5 with two strikeouts for Team Canada.

Saturday’s games

Puerto Rico vs. Italy at Daikin Park in Houston, 3 p.m. ET on FS1

Puerto Rico lost in this round in 2023 and in the finals in 2017 and 2013. In 2023, Edwin Díaz suffered a torn patellar tendon while celebrating a win over the Dominican Republic. He is back and has thrown two scoreless innings with five strikeouts and a save. Italy pulled off the upset of the tournament so far with its win over the United States. Vinnie Pasquantino became the first player to hit three homers in a WBC game against Mexico.

Mets prospect Nick Morabito, seeing action as a defensive replacement in the Team Italy outfield, is 0-for-1.

Venezuela vs. Japan at loanDepot park in Miami, 9 p.m. ET on FOX

Shohei Ohtani is 5-for-9 with two homers, a double and four walks for defending champion Japan, and Seiya Suzuki has a couple of homers as well. Japan has won three of the five Classics and advanced to the semifinals every time. This will be its first time playing Venezuela, which had its best showing when it advanced to the semifinals in 2009.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, six walks, a tournament-leading eight runs scored and two stolen bases. Luis Arraez has two home runs and nine RBIs. RHP Carlos Guzman (3.12 ERA in 49 innings combined at Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton in 2025), got into one game, recorded two outs and gave up a hit and a walk.

The winners of Friday’s games will play Sunday in Miami, and the winners of Saturday’s games will play there on Monday. The championship game is Tuesday in Miami at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Predictions

Anything can happen in one baseball game. But I don’t like the vibes from Team USA. I think it survives Canada and loses to the immaculately-vibing DR in the semifinals. I’ll take Italy to keep its magic going, Venezuela in an upset over Japan and DR over Venezuela in the finals. Soto will edge Brazobán for MVP honors.

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Save for the many games in Montreal against the Expos plus several in Toronto, New York has previously played in two other countries as well as a U.S. territory.

Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

August 16-18, 1996 vs. San Diego Padres: Monterrey, Mexico

This was a historic series south of the border as the Mets and Padres squared off in the first regular season series ever played outside North America. Fittingly, native hero Fernando Valenzuela took the mound first for San Diego in what amounted to a three-game slugfest at the elevated grounds inside Estadio Monterrey — nestled below the Cerro de la Silla mountain range.

The two teams combined for 43 runs and nine homers, most of which came during a wild opener in which the Mets spotted San Diego a 15-0 lead before finally coming to life. They recorded three runs in the seventh against Valenzuela before putting up a seven spot in the ninth, though it ultimately wasn’t enough as the Padres escaped with a 15-10 victory.

It was New York that jumped out to a 5-0 lead the next night, courtesy of hits from Edgardo Alfonzo, Todd Hundley, Bernard Gilkey and others. The Mets later secured their only win in this series by a score of 7-3 with two insurance runs in the ninth inning.

The only bats that were alive in the finale were those of the Padres, as Ken Caminiti’s two home runs and Joey Hamilton’s strong pitching (plus a homer of his own) bolstered San Diego’s 8-0 win.

March 29-30, 2000 vs. Chicago Cubs: Tokyo, Japan

The Mets went international again as MLB stretched its borders once more with the first official games outside North America at the Tokyo Dome in Japan during the 2000 campaign. Joining New York on this long maiden voyage were the Cubs.

Starting pitcher Mike Hampton, New York’s new acquisition from Houston, was unusually wild as he permitted a staggering nine walks and 14 baserunners over five innings in what would become a 5-3 loss in the series opener. Adding to the unusual occurrences, Rey Ordoñez misplayed a grounder, putting an end to the sure-handed shortstop’s major league record errorless streak of 101 games.

The second and final game was much more satisfying and capped with a storybook finish.  The contest moved into extras tied at one when in the top of the 11th, the Mets loaded the bases with two outs and the pitcher’s spot due up. Manager Bobby Valentine’s pinch-hitter of choice was Benny Agbayani, who at this point was uncertain if he’d be on the major league roster much longer.

With a pre-swing leg hike patterned after Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh, Agbayani connected on Danny Young‘s 1-0 pitch over the heart of the plate. It not only broke the tie, but it also went over the center field wall for a grand slam that became the defining moment of this series in a 5-1 victory and helped him remain a big leaguer for the entirety of the year.

April 11-14, 2003 vs. Montreal Expos: San Juan, Puerto Rico

Major League Baseball’s hopes of increasing attendance for Montreal Expos home games led to temporary stays in Puerto Rico. Once more, the Mets were one side of this experiment’s initiation, and based on the results, they were far too accommodating.

The opener was a 10-0 blowout in favor of Montreal. The next game was closer, but had the same ultimate result: a 5-4 Expos win. The Mets let the final two slip away as well as Armando Benítez couldn’t protect the shutout furnished by Al Leiter and company during the penultimate contest, leading to a 2-1 Montreal walk-off win in the 10th. That was followed the next night by two runs for the Expos in the bottom of the eighth inning that broke a 3-3 tie and set up a four-game Montreal sweep with a 5-3 victory.

April 9-11, 2004 vs. Expos: San Juan, Puerto Rico

(Almost) same time, same place but different results. New York took two of three in this set, bookending the series with victories. It did feel like deja vu, though, when Mets relievers failed to protect a 2-0 lead in the eighth of the first game. They were reprieved, however, when Todd Zeile’s 11th-inning RBI double delivered what would be the deciding run in a 3-2 win. Other standout moments from the game included Tyler Yates pitching six shoutout innings and former Expo Cliff Floyd homering to open the scoring.

The Mets took the series behind Tom Glavine’s outstanding start (seven innings, no earned runs, no walks) and Eric Valent’s two-run homer in the sixth.

June 28-30, 2010 vs. Florida Marlins: San Juan, Puerto Rico

By definition, these were neutral site games. By designation, the Marlins were the home team. And by proximity, the Marlins were the “closer to home” team.

Florida took two of three, scoring a combined 22 runs. The Fish got five home runs in their wins, coming from the likes of Giancarlo (then known as Mike) Stanton, Dan Uggla, and Hanley Ramírez. While the first Mets loss wasn’t close, losing 10-3, the second was in the balance until the end. New York held a 3-0 lead before Florida struck for six in the third. The Mets clawed back to tie with two ninth-inning runs before Uggla won it with a walk-off single in the bottom half as part of a 7-6 Marlins victory.

David Wright recorded two hits and two RBIs in the Mets’ lone W as they avoided a sweep. A 6-5 advantage was protected, shakily, by Francisco Rodríguez — who allowed two runners to reach base before getting the last two outs.

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Via MLB/Team USA

We’re getting into crunch time in the World Baseball Classic and we have a mouthwatering game to look forward to on Saturday. Team USA will take on Team Venezuela with a place in the semifinals at stake.

While the WBC has come under fire this week in light of the Edwin Díaz injury news, the tournament has still delivered plenty of thrilling moments and that will only continue the deeper we get in.

Saturday’s marquee showdown will feature some important Mets connections, too. Pete Alonso will be hoping to help Team USA continue their march to hopefully defending their crowd. Meanwhile, Eduardo Escobar will be looking to help Venezuela remain unbeaten and move a step closer to ultimate glory. Escobar hit a home run in Venezuela’s victory over Israel on Wednesday.

Team USA finished second in Pool C (3-1) after losing to Mexico but beating Great Britain, Canada and Columbia. Team Venezuela, on the other hand, went a perfect 4-0 in what was a juggernaut of a Pool D, beating the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua and Israel.

Before we look ahead to Saturday’s contest a little more, however, there was some WBC action on Friday as Mexico met Puerto Rico in quarterfinal 4.

Puerto Rico 4-5 Mexico

In what was one of the best and most electrifying games yet of the World Baseball Classic, it was Mexico who came out on top in an absolute thriller.

It was Puerto Rico, though, who came out swinging. Showing no impact in the wake of the devastating injury to Díaz just days before, Javier Báez and Eddie Rosario hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning. However, Mexico got back into the game thanks to Isaac Paredes, who hit an absolute 412 feet moonshot off former Met Marcus Stroman.

.@LuisUrias03 gives Team Mexico the lead in the 7th! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/MCmvjvvewg

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2023

Francisco Lindor and the rest of the Puerto Rico lineup was stifled by excellent pitching, while Mexico continued to get clutch hits at the plate. Paredes hit a game-tying, two run single to left field, before Luis Urías followed that up with a go-ahead single to put his country in the driving seat. Randy Arozarena then made a superb leaping catch at the warning track to rob Emmanuel Rivera in the eighth inning.

While Lindor and Puerto Rico will now head home, Mexico will begin preparing to take on a powerhouse Japan team in the semifinals on Monday.

USA vs. Venezuela, 7:00 P.M. EST

This is a matchup between two heavyweights with a lot of talent. Team USA boasts a lot of star power up and down their lineup and they have been powered by Mike Trout. The Angels superstar has been thriving on the big stage, going 3-for-4 and driving in all of Team USA’s runs during their win over Columbia on Wednesday. Trout is slashing .417/588/.833 in his first four WBC games.

Venezuela are unbeaten heading into Saturday’s quarterfinal, and they have been playing really impressive baseball from the very start of the tournament. They too have a lot of talent in their ranks, including veteran catcher Salvador Perez who was named the Pool D MVP after going 5-for-10 at the plate in his first three games. Perez drove in five runs and hit a homer and three doubles while slashing .500/.545/.1.100 during that stretch.

Neither Alonso nor Escobar are in the lineup for their respective countries.

Chicago White Sox righty Lance Lynn will get the start for Team USA, while Texas Rangers lefty Martín Pérez will go for Team Venezuela.

The winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal will go on to meet Cuba in the first semifinal on Sunday night.

Saturday’s quarterfinal between Team USA and Team Venezuela will be broadcast live on FOX.

The post WBC Game Thread: USA, Venezuela Set For QF Showdown appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Wednesday night, a feeling of triumph quickly turned into a somber mood for Team Puerto Rico after New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz sustained a season-ending knee injury while celebrating their victory over Team Dominican Republic.

While this is a devastating loss for Team Puerto Rico, it is also a crushing blow to the Mets who are entering 2023 as legit World Series contenders. They will now begin the season knowing one of their biggest weapons is already done for the year.

Díaz going down in the fashion he did sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world, and several members of the Mets provided their reactions to this disappointing news as the story began to hit home.

Díaz is an integral part of this Mets team, which is indicated through the somber tone of the various reactions. It will be nearly impossible to replace the reliability and production that he brought to the bullpen. In addition to his high achievement on the field, Díaz appears to be a great teammate and clubhouse presence. Based on an article by Katie Woo, Tim Britton, and Will Sammon of The Athletic, it is evident that the reactions to this news share the sentiment of sadness for Díaz’s situation.

In fact, Adam Ottavino, who is a member of the bullpen that recently lost Sam Coonrod and Bryce Montes de Oca to injuries, expressed sympathy for Díaz as he navigates through his new predicament: “I know what it meant to him to be in that situation for Puerto Rico,” Ottavino said. “I know what type of kid he is and how hard he works. I know how much he cares and what he means to Puerto Rico and to the Mets. For everybody, it’s just sad. I really don’t have any other emotion beside that. I’m just hoping for the best for him.”

It is likely that Ottavino will assume the role of closer in Díaz’s absence. While Ottavino has been excellent with the Mets thus far, losing Díaz will greatly hurt the bullpen as the relievers will see a change in their roles. Ottavino has some closer experience with 33 career saves, so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to his potential new role this season.

Pete Alonso added a similar perspective of frustration to this situation. “He’s worked really hard to get to where he’s at,” Alonso said. “He’s not only worked incredibly hard and reinvented himself but he was just an absolute force last year. To get where he was at is incredible. He’s such a hard worker, he’s a great teammate. I feel frustrated for him and we’re going to miss him for sure.”

Alonso makes a great point here about Díaz’s work ethic. Initially in his Mets career, Díaz had a disappointing 2019 season, in which he pitched to a 5.59 ERA with 7 blown saves out of 33 save opportunities. However, he has since made great strides and put up excellent numbers in the last three seasons, culminating in a stellar 2022 season. This makes the injury news even more devastating as Díaz has clearly worked very hard to get to this point in his career.

The newly acquired Justin Verlander, who has been around MLB for a long time, is not immune to unfortunate circumstances plaguing a team. According to Tim Healey of Newsday, Verlander provided commentary on the impact of this news on the high optimism that has been present during camp. “I can’t think of any team that’s ever gone through an entire season and not had some sort of major blow,” Verlander said. “It’s just tough to have happen at this point in the year. The optimism is so high and everybody is ready to go, then that happens. It’s tough.”

Verlander recently signed with the Mets in the offseason and is looking to add more World Series rings to his resume to finish off his excellent career. This injury will certainly make this objective more difficult, and he expresses that by indicating that the sense of optimism has lessened since the news came out. It is important that veterans like Verlander keep the morale of the team in the right place to succeed this season.

Next, Brandon Nimmo acknowledges the irreplaceability of Díaz as the team’s closer in a tweet from the aforementioned Tim Healey.“I don’t think you can ever fully replace who Edwin Díaz is and the player he is,” Nimmo said. “He was the best closer in baseball last year. There’s no doubt about that. But we’re very fortunate that we have guys in this staff that are very good at their jobs.”

While Nimmo realizes that it will be difficult to replace Díaz’s production, he also understands that the Mets need to move forward and think of a reality without their star closer. The Mets still have a strong bullpen with the additions of David Robertson and Brooks Raley to go along with the other pieces they already have. They also still have the opportunity to add arms to their bullpen prior to the start of the season. In fact, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that the Mets were due to attend a Zack Britton showcase on Thursday.

Credit: Dale Zanine – USA TODAY

Mets skipper Buck Showalter focused on Díaz on a personal level in his reaction. According to Tim Healey, Buck stated: “It’s sad for him personally. That’s the way I looked at it. Regardless of how it affects anything else. Him and his family. It could’ve happened 20 times last year in some of the celebrations we had.”

Buck’s commentary is significant in the wake of the controversy surrounding whether MLB teams should send their players to the World Baseball Classic. Some argue that teams should hold their players back as the risk for injury outweighs the significance of representing one’s homeland on the grand stage. Based on his words, it is clear that Showalter does not regret allowing Díaz to participate.

On that same note, Francisco Lindor, who was also in the thick of that celebration for Puerto Rico on Wednesday night, defended players representing their country at the WBC. “I understand how Mets fans are hurting,” Lindor told ESPN’s Marly Rivera. “But while for so many people playing the regular season is what counts, playing in the WBC means just as much to all of us. It is the dream of every Puerto Rican ballplayer to wear Puerto Rico’s colors and to represent our country. And not only Puerto Ricans, but every player in the WBC considers being here the ultimate honor.”

Edwin Diaz is a great human being and a fierce competitor. All of us at the Mets are shaken but determined to sustain our quest for a great season. We wish Edwin a speedy recovery.

— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) March 16, 2023

Finally, Mets owner Steve Cohen had this to say about Thursday’s crushing news. “Edwin Díaz is a great human being and a fierce competitor,” Cohen said in a Tweet. “All of us at the Mets are shaken but determined to sustain our quest for a great season. We wish Edwin a speedy recovery.”

Cohen is not in an ideal situation as he just signed Díaz to a five-year, $102 million deal this past offseason. Although he is likely disappointed that he will not see his investment pay off this season, he understands that the Mets are still a good team that have every chance of success. He shares a similar viewpoint to Verlander and Nimmo in that the Mets will not let this news impact their mentality as they set out to win a World Series in 2023.

The post Mets React To Edwin Díaz’s Injury News appeared first on Metsmerized.

Latest MLB News

The Los Angeles Dodgers renewed Andrew Toles‘ contract Wednesday so that he can have access to health insurance and receive treatment for his mental health struggles.

Latest on MMO

Ross Bentley covers a report by Mike Puma that Max Scherzer will start opening day and Justin Verlander will start the home opener.

Michael Mayer reports that Sam Coonrad has a right lat strain.

On This Date in Mets History

1961: The New York State Assembly voted to approve a new stadium (Shea) for the Mets.

Birthdays: Don Florence (56), Hobie Landrith (93), Abraham Nunez (46), Rich Puig (70)

The post Morning Briefing: Edwin Díaz To Undergo Imaging Today appeared first on Metsmerized.

The final game of Pool D of the World Baseball Classic between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic had a Game 7 feel to it at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. But nothing that happened in the game will matter to Mets fans more than what happened directly afterwards. After striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth for Puerto Rico, Mets closer Edwin Díaz appeared to suffer a severe leg injury during the team’s celebration.

Díaz went down holding his right knee, and he had to be helped off the field using a wheelchair.

Edwin Diaz appears to have suffered an injury during Puerto Rico's celebration pic.twitter.com/G9Md6SBrEj

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2023

Edwin Diaz went down during the celebration. He seems to be grabbing at his right knee and is receiving medical attention near the mound.

— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 16, 2023

Díaz is undergoing X-rays, according to SNY’s Andy Martino, and both the Mets and team Puerto Rico are anxiously awaiting the results.

Díaz’s injury put a sour note on what was otherwise a tremendous game. Led by Francisco Lindor , Puerto Rico advanced to the quarterfinals with a 5-2 victory, eliminating a Dominican Republican team that was many people’s pick to win the entire tournament.

Lindor, the captain of the team, had one of the best moments of the tournament so far. In the top of the fifth, Lindor hit a ball to center that Julio Rodríguez misplayed, allowing it to roll all the way to the wall in dead center. The single and three-base error by Rodriguez allowed the Mets shortstop to circle all the bases and give Puerto Rico a 5-1 lead.

Francisco Lindor is off to the races and electrifies Team Puerto Rico! 👟💨 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/HQnVW1egb9

— MLB (@MLB) March 16, 2023

.@StevenACohen2 play this on loop on the new video board please pic.twitter.com/RLYyA4tdbF

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) March 16, 2023

Overall, Lindor was 2-for-4 on the day and also added an RBI single in the top of the third against Bryan Abreu that was a part of a four-run inning by Puerto Rico. For the tournament, Lindor is hitting .467 with five RBIs in four games.

.@Lindor12BC comes through for Team Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/9cclBr56B7

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2023

The scoring for Puerto Rico began when Christian Vázquez  hit a solo home run off Johnny Cueto in the third. Later in the inning, after the Lindor single, Enrique Hernández made it 3-0 with an RBI single of his own. The lead would eventually go to 4-0 on an RBI groundout by MJ Melendez.

While the Dominican Republic offense did get a tape measure home run by Juan Soto in the bottom of the third (1-for-2, 2 walks), they were unable to put much else on the board. For the game, the Dominican Republic was 2-for-8 with men in scoring position, and they struck out 11 times against eight different Puerto Rico pitchers.

The loss by the Dominican Republic means they will fail to qualify for the quarterfinals in the WBC for the first time since 2009.

Meanwhile, Lindor and Puerto Rico will advance to play in the quarterfinals against Mexico, who clinched Pool C earlier today with a win over Canada. It is the fifth straight tournament that Puerto Rico has qualified for the quarterfinals. The Puerto Rican team will certainly be playing the rest of the tournament with heavy hearts after the injury to their closer.

The post Lindor Helps Lead Puerto Rico To WBC Quarterfinals As Díaz Suffers Injury appeared first on Metsmerized.

Francisco Lindor. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The first round of the NCAA Tournament starts tomorrow, but survive-and-advance is already taking shape in the WBC. Both Team USA and Puerto Rico face critical matchups on Wednesday night that could see them either advance to the quarterfinals, or have their championship dreams ended.

Puerto Rico enters Wednesday with a record of 2-1, beating Nicaragua and Israel (in which they completed a seven-inning perfect game), but losing to Venezuela. Team USA is also 2-1, scoring wins over Great Britain and Canada, but falling short against Mexico.

Cuba has already made it to the semifinals of the tournament after defeating Australia early Wednesday morning. Unbeaten Japan will face off against Mike Piazza and Italy on Thursday morning for another semifinal spot.

Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic, 7:00 P.M. EST

For Puerto Rico, their scenario is simple as they get set to face off against the Dominican Republic. The winner of that matchup will advance in Pool D, joining unbeaten Venezuela as the quarterfinal representatives from that pool  Mets prospect Dominic Hamel was originally expected to start in the contest, but the team is now starting Reds pitcher Fernando Cruz.

Francisco Lindor is leading off for Puerto Rico, while former Met Javier Báez is batting fifth. Edwin Díaz has appeared in only one game thus far, so it’s likely he’ll make an appearance this evening.

USA vs. Colombia, 10:00 P.M. EST

For Team USA, they can control their own destiny with a victory tonight against Colombia in Pool C. Technically, the United States can still advance if they lose, but it will then come down to a tiebreaker to decide who makes it through between them, Columbia, and the loser of Wednesday’s Mexico vs. Canada game (Mexico leads 9-2 as of this writing).

Diamondbacks lefty Merrill Kelly will get the start for Team USA, and he will be opposed by Braves prospect Luis De Avila for Colombia. As of this writing, Team USA has not yet announced a lineup.

The post WBC Game Thread: USA, Puerto Rico In Must-Win Matchups appeared first on Metsmerized.

Nolan Arenado. Photo via USA Today

Both USA and Puerto Rico are set to play their second games of the World Baseball Classic.

In game one for the United States, they defeated Great Britain 6-2. Adam Wainwright was credited with the win, and the USA was led by Kyle Schwarber and his two-run home run offensively.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico defeated Nicaragua 9-1 on Saturday. Marcus Stroman picked up the win, and Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor had a two-hit, one RBI game.

Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 PM EST

Team Puerto Rico will look to start their tournament with a 2-0 record in Pool D. Lindor and former Mets’ infielder Javier Báez will have to contend with former Marlins’ starter Pablo López on the mound. Puerto Rico will turn to Jose Berrios.

Offensively, Venezuela (1-0) is led by Ronald Acuña Jr., Jose Altuve, and Luis Arráez. Current Mets’ third baseman Eduardo Escobar will bat ninth for the team.

The game will broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

USA vs. Mexico, 10:00 PM EST

USA will contend with a Mexico (0-1) team that lost to Columbia in extra innings on Saturday.

Nick Martinez is expected to get the start for USA. They will once again lead on a prolific offense led by Mike Trout Mookie Betts, Nolan Arenado, among others. In the first game, Jeff McNeil was hitless and Pete Alonso did not start.

As for Mexico, they will turn to Patrick Sandoval. Offensively, Mexico is led by Randy Arozarena, Joey Menses, and Isaac Paredes. Catcher Austin Barnes contributed a two-hit performance on Saturday as well.

The game will broadcast on FOX Sports 1.

The post WBC Game Thread: USA, Puerto Rico Ready For Game Two appeared first on Metsmerized.

Several Mets are set to participate in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. So there’s a good chance this list featuring players who were Mets at one time or another encapsulating the four previous editions of the international tournament will have an addition or two by the time it’s over on March 21.

2006 and 2009: Dice-K Goes Back-to-Back

By the time Daisuke Matsuzaka arrived in New York, he’d already achieved his biggest professional baseball accomplishments. In 2006, he was a star pitcher for Japan getting plenty of attention from major-league suitors. At the inaugural WBC, Dice-K raised his national hero status while simultaneously improving his stock. He won the championship by going four innings and allowing one run in a 10-6 victory over Cuba. Three years later, Matsuzaka was again the star—going 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA—with Japan again being the event’s dominant country.

2009: Wright Walk-Off

It’s not just one of the best moments by a Met in the WBC, but it’s also one of the best moments in WBC history. David Wright was already beloved by Mets fans. Now he had a whole country to embrace him. Days after the United States was humiliated by Puerto Rico in a mercy-rule loss to put the Americans in a win-or-else scenario, Wright came up in the ninth down 5-4 with the bases loaded and one out in Miami. He took a pitch down in the zone and placed it perfectly down the right-field line to score the tying and winning runs and send Team USA to the semifinals.

2013: When “The Captain” Became “Captain America”

This was the off-season when Wright’s unofficial title as leader of the Mets became official. But there was a more prestigious title that awaited him after the first-round contest with Italy. Just like the ’09 Puerto Rico thriller, Wright was up with the bases loaded. It was a less-dramatic situation (the fifth inning) but still had a tremendous result. His blast went into the left-center field stands and broke a 2-2 tie. Wright is one of the top performers in WBC history, batting .300/.400/.458 and driving in 10 runs over the four games he played in 2013. But his participation was cut short because of an oblique injury and teammates hung up a superhero cap in the dugout to pay homage to their third baseman.

2013: Canó Leads DR to Perfect Record

The Dominican Republic clearly had the most talent in 2013 and proved it—never losing on their way to the championship in a feat no WBC champ has done before or since. In their eight wins in eight tries, Canó batted .469 with two homers. In addition to being named tournament MVP, he became one of four to have a WBC title and a World Series ring. Canó was wrapping up his career with the Yankees, but not his career in New York of course. After spending 2014 through 2018 in Seattle, the All-Star second baseman was anything but All-Star form during his two-plus seasons as a Met.

2017: Díaz Brings the Heat

In a thrilling and contentious extra-inning Puerto Rico win over the Netherlands, Edwin Díaz gave a hint of a future for both Seattle and eventually New York. He breezed through the 10th by striking out the side and even inciting a bench-clearing after a pitch that went high and tight. WBC rules then stipulated that two runners were automatically put on base beginning with the 11th. But it had no effect on Edwin—except it may have gotten him more pumped up. Díaz kept the Netherlands off the scoreboard again and his hitters won it in the bottom half. He saved 34 for the Mariners in ’17 and then locked down 57 the next year. That dominance, as we know, is now in full effect in Queens.

2017: José Bautista’s Walk-off Throw

He was “Joey Bats,” but his arm was the difference for the Dominican Republic. In the bottom of the ninth of a first-round match-up, Columbia was in position to win with runners on the corners and one out. Bautista hauled in a line drive and fired it home to try and get a tagging Oscar Mercado. Catcher Welington Castillo shielded the baseline, caught Bautista’s laser throw, and applied the tag in time to end the inning and outrage Columbia’s personnel. Two innings later, the DR offense broke out with a seven-run eleventh to make a dramatic game seem lopsided by the 10-3 final.

Bautista wrapped up a 15-year major-league career the next season when he played for not one, but three teams in the NL East. His stint with the Mets lasted 83 games, the highlight being a game-winning grand slam against Tampa.

2017: Javy’s No-Look Tag

He’s mesmerizing whether on the field or at the plate. It’s impossible to keep your eyes off him–whether he was on the Cubs, Mets, or now with the Tigers. What makes this play from Javier Báez so fascinating was what he wasn’t seeing. In the top of the eighth against the Dominican Republic, a 3-1 Puerto Rico lead was in danger with Nelson Cruz on first. On a pitch from Edwin Díaz, Cruz attempted to steal. Yadier Molina caught and fired to Báez covering second. Even before he received the throw, Báez pointed in celebration toward Molina and then continued while blindly putting the tag on Cruz.

2017: Stroman in MVP Form for USA

The most recent edition of the WBC was the most exciting, highlighted by the three moments above as well as Adam Jones‘ sensational catch amid the center field fans at Petco Park, and punctuated by Marcus Stroman‘s brilliant performance in an 8-0 win for Team USA in the championship round. He dominated Puerto Rico, allowing just one hit in six innings for an impressive 2.35 ERA in three starts for a deserving MVP. Proving even if you beat ’em, you can join ’em, the former Met and current Cub will be with Díaz and Francisco Lindor on the Puerto Rico roster in 2023.

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Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Good morning, Mets fans!

Francisco Lindor was named the captain of Team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic. The vote was conducted by the players. The team, led by long-time Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, is headed off to Miami to play exhibition games this week before beginning Pool Play against Nicaragua on Friday.

Latest Mets News

José Quintana has a small stress fracture in his left fifth rib on his left side, the Mets said on Monday. Quintana is headed back to New York to undergo testing. The team does not have a timeline for recovery yet.

Steve Cohen tweeted that he wanted a bigger scoreboard at Citi Field, and the progress at the stadium shows that the scoreboard is much larger than it was previously. Cohen mentioned that at times he would have to squint to see the board in the past.

Here’s a look at the new Citi Field scoreboard.

As Steve Cohen said, he got what he wanted.

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— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) March 6, 2023

Latest MLB News

Justin Turner was hit in the face by a pitch from Matt Manning of the Tigers, forcing the 38-year-old to be hospitalized. According to his wife, Turner had to get 16 stitches but didn’t suffer any fractures. He’s being monitored for a concussion, but he’s stable, alert, and in good spirits.

Tommy Kahnle is dealing with biceps tendinitis, a similar issue to what he battled in 2018. Kahnle told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com that he thinks it will take about a month to clear up.

Dodgers All-Star Tony Gonsolin rolled his ankle while coming off the field for infield drills on Monday morning. The team says he has a left ankle sprain and likely won’t pitch as scheduled on Wednesday.

Latest on MMO

Mathew Brownstein sat down with Hall of Famer Greg Maddox for an MMO Exclusive interview.

The MMO staff discusses whether Max Scherzer of Justin Verlander should start Opening Day.

On This Date in Mets History

2010: In a spring training contest against the Nationals, Omir Santos hits an inside-the-park grand slam in the bottom of the second inning. The play started with a ground ball down the third-base line, but the ball gets stuck under the left-field fence, allowing Santos to circle the bases.

2019: The Mets sign two-time All-Star Carlos Gómez to a minor-league contract, bringing him back to his original organization. Gómez is coming off a disappointing season with the Rays in 2018, hitting just .208/.298/.336 with nine homers in 408 plate appearances.

Birthdays: Galen Cisco (87), Mauro Gozzo (57), Jeff Kent (55)

The post Morning Briefing: Francisco Lindor Named Captain of Team Puerto Rico appeared first on Metsmerized.