Mets Fall to Cardinals in Spring Training
The New York Mets took on the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, and despite a solid performance by some of their key players, they came up short, losing 6-1. This match was another test in the ongoing spring training schedule, offering valuable insights into the team’s readiness for the upcoming season.
Tylor Megill’s Solid Performance
Tylor Megill had a commendable outing on the mound. He faced a challenging first inning, where he threw 26 pitches and worked around a two-out walk to keep the Cardinals scoreless. However, he allowed a leadoff triple in the second inning, which the Cardinals capitalized on for a run with a single. Despite this, Megill regained his composure, securing the next four outs in a row to end his day. He allowed just one run on two hits, walked one, and struck out two over 47 pitches, 31 of which were strikes. Megill, along with Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning, is vying for one of the final spots in the starting rotation. Unlike his competitors, Megill has a minor league option remaining, giving the Mets the flexibility to send him to the minors without the risk of losing him to another team.
Brett Baty’s Versatility
Brett Baty demonstrated his versatility by playing second base for the first time at the big league level. In the sixth inning, he cleanly fielded a routine grounder hit by Jose Fermin, moving a few steps to his left and charging before throwing to first for the out. He also handled another grounder in the seventh inning that was hit right at him. At the plate, Baty went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, bringing his spring OPS to an impressive 1.333. His performance in both the field and at the plate highlights his potential as a valuable asset for the Mets.
Luisangel Acuña’s Defensive Showcase
Luisangel Acuña made his debut at third base as a professional and showed impressive defensive skills. He caught a pop-up in the first inning and contributed to two rundowns in the sixth inning, one between third base and home plate and another between third and second base. On the only grounder he fielded, Acuña, who was positioned toward shortstop due to the shift, charged in and to his right to glove the ball and fire it to first base on the run for the final out of the seventh inning. Despite a quiet spring at the plate, Acuña went 0-for-3, his defensive prowess remains a notable highlight.
Francisco Alvarez’s First-Pitch Success
Francisco Alvarez continued to show his hitting ability with a first-pitch single to right field in his second at-bat against Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley. He finished the game 1-for-3. Alvarez’s performance underscored his potential and the impact he could have on the Mets’ lineup as the season progresses.
Pitching Highlights: Stanek and Garrett
The Mets’ bullpen had a standout performance, particularly from Ryne Stanek and Reed Garrett. Stanek pitched a perfect inning, retiring the side in just 12 pitches. He struck out his final batter looking, after Alvarez challenged a third-strike pitch that was initially called a ball. Stanek’s fastball reached 98 mph, and he effectively mixed in sliders to keep the hitters off balance. Reed Garrett also fired a perfect frame, striking out the last two batters he faced. His fastball topped out at 97 mph, and he needed just 12 pitches to navigate through the inning.
Upcoming Schedule
The Mets will have a day off on Wednesday to rest and regroup. Their schedule resumes on Thursday, when they face the Houston Astros at 6:10 p.m. on SNY. This upcoming game will be another crucial opportunity for the team to fine-tune their strategies and assess player performances before the regular season kicks off.
