Spring Training Game Chat: Mets vs Cardinals, 1:05 PM

Thursday, March 14, 2024 • 1:05 PM
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium • Jupiter, FL
RHP José Buttó (1-0, 1.50) vs. RHP Lance Lynn (0-0, 18.00)
MLB TV

For most of the last week, the Mets’ offense was just missing. Before last night, in their last three games, the Mets had a combined three runs scored from 12 hits. The wins/losses don’t matter in spring, but you want to see the Mets regulars getting hits, starting rallies, flashing power, and making smart plays on the base paths.

This all returned last night as the Mets beat the Astros 6-5 in a game capped off with a walk-off hit by Joe Suozzi, son of House of US Representatives Tom Suozzi. Joe saved us all from “there’s no tying in baseball” posts, as both the Mets and Astros agreed that the game would end after the ninth inning if the score was tied. The key inning last night, in my opinion, was the fifth, where the Mets scored four runs. It was the first time in a while the Mets regulars participated in a long rally with singles, walks and capitalizing on Astros miscues.

Mets Lineup

1. Brandon Nimmo LF
2. Francisco Lindor SS
3. Pete Alonso 1B
4. Brett Baty 3B
5. Harrison Bader CF
6. Luke Voit DH
7. Tyrone Taylor RF
8. Zack Short 2B
9. Tomás Nido C

Opposing Lineup

1. Brendan Donovan LF
2. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
3. Brandon Crawford SS
4. Nolan Arenado 3B
5. Willson Contreras C
6. Matt Carpenter DH
7. Dylan Carlson CF
8. Michael Siani RF
9. José Fermín 2B

Game Notes

Mets prospect Dom Hamel will start the Spring Breakout Game on Friday. First pitch at Clover Park is 3:10 p.m. ET, and we will have a free live stream of the game at MMO.

Manager Carlos Mendoza is hopeful that Jeff McNeil will make his spring debut on Sunday. He’s playing in a minor league game in Port St. Lucie today. Sean Manaea, Christian Scott, and Mike Vasil are also starting today in the backfields.

Three Things To Watch For

1. José Buttó looks to continue his dominant spring. Buttó will make his fourth start of the spring today as he continues to compete for the last spot of the rotation. In three games this spring he has a 1.50 ERA over six innings while striking out six batters. In his last start, he pitched three innings, so if all goes well, he’s probably aiming for at least four innings today. In between his outings, Tylor Megill had another good start, which is Buttó’s main competition at this point.
2. Austin Adams continues to fight for a bullpen spot. He has had an excellent start to spring. In four games and 3 2/3 innings, he has allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out seven batters. In March, he struck out four of the five batters he recorded. With another good outing today, and he will start to force the Mets to figure out a way to get him rostered.
3. Ice-Cold Hitters: A few hitters who have been ice-cold this spring are getting the start and hopefully can start to break out of their funk this afternoon. Harrison Bader is 1-for-10 this spring with one strikeout over five games. Luke Voit is 2-for-20 with seven strikeouts. The Mets are banking on Harrison Bader as their everyday centerfielder. Luke Voit is fighting to get on a roster.

Let’s go Mets!

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