Spring Training Game Thread: Nationals vs Mets, 1:10 PM
New York Mets (1-2) vs. Washington Nationals (0-2)
Thursday, March 4, 2020 • 1:10 p.m.
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
LHP David Peterson (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara (0-0, 18.00)
Recapping Wednesday:
The Mets played their second road game of the spring on Wednesday and it went as well as you would expect with a minor league pitching staff going up against a major league roster. The Mets lost in a high-scoring game, 14-9, a boon to all of the hitters that traveled with New York.
It was also the first time the Mets got an extended taste of the new spring training rules for pitchers. After a hurler throws 20 pitches, they can be removed from the game if they haven’t recorded three outs, but a pitcher who has been removed from the game can also go back in later. Since these games don’t mean anything in the standings, this is great. I’m all for player health in spring.
Anyway, just a few notes from yesterday. New Met Kevin Pillar had a good day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a triple and a double. J.D. Davis went 2-for-3. Mets top prospect, Brett Baty got an at-bat as a pinch hitter late in the game and smacked a double that plated two runs.
Mets Lineup
- Brandon Nimmo — CF
- Jeff McNeil — 2B
- Dominic Smith — DH
- Pete Alonso — 1B
- James McCann — C
- Jonathan Villar — 3B
- Luis Guillorme — SS
- Khalil Lee — RF
- Drew Ferguson — LF
Nationals Lineup
- Victor Robles — CF
- Josh Harrison — 2B
- Kyle Schwarber — DH
- Ryan Zimmerman — 1B
- Yan Gomes — C
- Andrew Stevenson — LF
- Carter Kieboom — 3B
- Yadiel Hernandez — RF
- Hernan Perez — SS
What We are Looking For Thursday:
David Peterson will make his spring debut! A couple of weeks ago, Peterson was a lock for the rotation (at least until Noah Syndergaard returns from injury). With the Taijuan Walker signing, he’s now competing for the last spot in the rotation. Peterson is coming off of a strong rookie season where he pitched 49.2 innings over 10 games/nine starts with a 3.44 ERA, 4.52 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, and a 123 ERA+.
Then, we get a look at the Mets’ bullpen! Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, and Trevor May are all scheduled to pitch. How Familia and Betances bounce back will determine how good the bullpen will ultimately be. May was an early signing by New York this past offseason, which also added punch to the relief corps. He’s quickly becoming a fan favorite (and a personal favorite), citing a local sandwich as a deal sealer when he decided to sign with the organization.
Let’s Go Mets!
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