MMO Game Thread: Cardinals vs Mets, 1:10 P.M.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, Florida
LHP Connor Thomas (0-0, 7.20) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (2-0, 2.84)
SNY
The Mets continue their spring training schedule today with another game against the St. Louis Cardinals! At this point in spring, it feels like we are scouting the Cardinals, Marlins, Astros and Nationals with how often we see these four teams.
Anyway, the Mets got what they needed yesterday – a great outing from David Peterson. He pitched four innings walking one batter and allowing no hits while striking out five. Either Peterson or Megill will be getting a lengthy time slot in the Mets rotation this year and both have looked pretty good this spring.
Today we turn to our new favorite day of the week! Justin Verlander Day!
Mets Lineup
JV on the bump. #LGM pic.twitter.com/chTKMaprM0
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 15, 2023
Cardinals Lineup
On the road to Port St. Lucie. pic.twitter.com/si7b2dKYUp
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 15, 2023
Game Notes
Darin Ruf and Mark Vientos will both be in the lineup for the Mets on Wednesday, and they appear to be in a battle for who will begin the season as the Mets right-handed option at DH (although Tommy Pham could also be a candidate should the Mets decide to carry another outfielder, such as Tim Locastro). Ruf had two hits on Monday, including a double – his first hits of the spring. Vientos, meanwhile, has done all that he can to lock down a spot, slashing .282/.300/.513 in 14 games with 2 home runs and 3 doubles.
Depending on the results of tonight’s matchup in the WBC, the Mets could be seeing some of their stars returning to camp in the coming days. Puerto Rico will take on the Dominican Republic tonight at 7 p.m. EST. The winner of that matchup will advance, while the tournament will end of the losers. In addition to Francisco Lindor, and Edwin Díaz, Team Puerto Rico also features Mets prospect Dominic Hamel, who is expected to take the mound tonight against Johnny Cueto for the DR.
After missing his previous start with a sore finger, Kodai Senga said Wednesday that he expects to pitch tomorrow as the Mets face off with the Nationals.
Three Things To Watch For
- Will Verlander Go Four Innings? Over his first two starts this spring Verlander has tossed 3 innings and 3 1/3 innings. In that stretch he has allowed two runs from five hits and no walks while striking out eight (great ratio!). So, how far will Verlander go in today’s game?
- Catchers Who Rake: A lot of the attention this spring has been on Francisco Álvarez. Tomás Nido has quietly been having a tremendous spring. In 24 trips to the plate he has nine hits including a pair of doubles and a pair of homers leading to a .375/.375/.708 line. Last season Nido had an OPS+ of 72, quite a bit better career mark of 60. He’s also had a 0.7 WAR the last two season combined, which is not exactly noteworthy except his previous four seasons he was at a -1.1 WAR. We’re not saying it’s Tomás Nido breakout season, but Tomás Nido better-than-average season could be the bump the Mets need.
- Marte Playing Back to Back Games: Usually when there is a lineup change at last minute, it’s bad news. Tuesday, the opposite happened , as Starling Marte got added into the lineup after it was originally posted. Marte had a scary moment in Sunday’s game where he was hit in head with a pitch. Starting back to back games is a positive sign that he’s doing alright.
Let’s go Mets!
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