MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Cardinals, 6:05 PM
Mark Vientos, Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Friday, March 10, 2023 • 6:05 PM
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium • Jupiter, Florida
RHP Elieser Hernández (0-0, 4.50) vs. LHP Jordan Montgomery (0-1, 12.00)
Bally Sports Midwest • MLB TV
We are eating good today! We woke up to some exciting World Baseball Classic games. We just had a Mets game in the early afternoon, and we get another Mets game this evening!
This game will feature Elieser Hernández, who the Mets acquired in trade back in November. The Marlins sent Hernández and Jeff Brigham to the Mets for Jake Mangum and Franklin Sanchez. Hernández is an interesting acquisition for the Mets, who need starting pitching/long relief depth. Over his five year career, Hernández has pitched in 90 games and 287 2/3 innings with a 5.04 ERA, 5.51 FIP, 1.321 WHIP and an 83 ERA+. Last year was rough for Hernández who had a 6.35 ERA and 64 ERA+ over 62 1/3 innings. Hernández will be farther down the depth chart going into 2023, somewhere behind Megill, Peterson and Lucchesi. In his first two games this spring he has tossed four innings, allowing two runs from five hits and two walks while striking out three.
Outside of Hernández, this is the prospect game of the day with Francisco Álvarez, Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio and Alex Ramírez all getting starts. Brett Bat
Mets Lineup
Álvarez is back behind the dish in the night cap! pic.twitter.com/skE50YJFkY
— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) March 10, 2023
Opposing Lineup
Under the lights at Roger Dean! pic.twitter.com/ccnFDRDJGz
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 10, 2023
Game Notes
The Mets won the first game of the split-squad doubleheader 7-2 over the Houston Astros. Today is their final split-squad game of the spring.
Like the Mets, the Cardinals have a bunch of players off at the World Baseball Classic. Nolan Arenado, Tommy Edman, Paul Goldschmidt and Lars Nootbaar are among the Cards’ players participating in the WBC.
In addition to Hernández, the Mets plan to pitch:
- Zach Greene
- Connor Grey
- Eric Orze
- William Woods
Three Things To Watch For
- Mark Vientos: Vientos has had made the most of his extended audition this spring. In 26 at bats he has eight hits including a pair of doubles and homers leading to .308/.308/.615 batting line. The Mets have a fairly major logjam on the right side of the infield with Lindor, Escobar, Baty Mauricio and Vientos. With all the time he’s getting right now, there are more teams than just the Mets paying attention.
- Ronny Mauricio: Mauricio had a winter to remember. He hit .287/.335/.468 with five homers in 203 plate appearances winning LIDOM MVP honors. This was a huge improvement over his previous season where he hit .244/.277/.367. This spring he picked up right where he left off this winter with six hits in 16 trips to the plate including three homers. He’s not ready yet for the majors, but he’s making a lot of noise right now.
- Francisco Álvarez: The most exciting prospect the Mets have in camp! He’s off to a slow start, collecting only one hit and one walk in 12 plate appearances so far, but he’s also finally getting lots of quality time catching Mets pitchers. He’s starting behind the plate again tonight and will continue to see an uptick of catching time while Omar Narváez and team Venezuela are playing in the World Baseball Classic.
Let’s go Mets!
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