Exciting Mets Baseball..
Yesterday, the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2, in Jupiter. Right-handed pitcher Luis Severino made his first Grapefruit League start and threw 2.0 hitless innings. Infielder Mark Vientos launched an opposite-field solo home run in the second to put the Mets on the board. Minor league right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell allowed three runs over 1.2 innings and tallied four strikeouts, including Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, Nolan Arenado, and Matt Carpenter. Catcher Tomás Nido recorded an RBI single in the eighth. Right-handed pitchers Sean Reid-Foley, Eric Orze, and Cam Robinson each threw 1.0 scoreless inning in relief.
ARMS APLENTY: Through seven games this spring, Mets pitchers have posted a 2.36 ERA (16 ER/61.0 IP), the best mark in the majors. The staff’s 1.18 WHIP is the third-lowest in the majors, while their .219 opponent batting average is the fourth-lowest mark. Mets starting pitchers have pitched to a 2.13 ERA (3 ER/12.2 IP), the second-best mark in Grapefruit League play and the sixth-best mark in the majors. Mets relievers have pitched to a 2.42 ERA (13 ER/48.1 IP), the lowest mark in the majors.
ROCCO’S UNCLE: Over his last three games, outfielder Trayce Thompson has reached base safely in six of his eight plate appearances. On February 26 at Washington, Thompson went 2-3 with a grand slam and an RBI single. Two days later, Thompson went 2-2 with a double and a home run vs. St. Louis. Yesterday at St. Louis, Thompson went 0-1 with two walks.
VS. MIAMI: Today the Mets will play their first of seven Grapefruit League games against Miami. Last season, the Mets went 9-4 against the Marlins, their best record against a division foe. Mets pitchers posted a 2.51 ERA (32 ER/114.2 IP) against Miami last season, their second-lowest mark against a single opponent behind only Arizona (2.14). This season, the Mets take on the Marlins at Citi Field from June 11-13 and August 16-18. New York will play at loanDepot Park from May 17-19 and from July 19-22.