The Mets were defeated by the Tigers 6-4 today at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. Here are my takeaways from today’s game…
Lucas Duda got a hit against a lefty.
One of the biggest questions about Duda heading into the season is his ability to hit left-handed pitching with some degree of competence. While it’s a small sample, Duda has had a difficult time against southpaws so far this spring, which is in-tune with his struggles against lefties last season.
Duda did record a single against David Price this afternoon but also struck out in three chances today. He’s now 1-for-9 with six strikeouts against left-handed pitching this spring, which I am sure is not sitting well with Terry Collins and Sandy Alderson as Opening Day draws closer.
Is Jack Leathersich leading the race for a left-handed relief spot in the bullpen?
Leathersich is known as a strikeout machine, but he has struggled to keep his walk totals down so far as a pro. But, including today’s work – in which he retired the only batter he faced, a lefty – over Jack’s last five appearances, he hasn’t walked anyone and has allowed one hit with three strikeouts over a span of three innings.
With nobody else really standing out to date and Jack’s presence on the 40-man roster, I am beginning to wonder if he will make the team if this trend continues. There’s still a long way to go in camp, but things are looking up for Leathersich right now.
Daniel Muno continues to impress.
Muno is suddenly on the club’s radar for a roster spot on Opening Day, and he had another nice day at the dish against the Tigers. He had two more hits and notched his first RBI of the spring to raise his average to .400 in Grapefruit League play.
What say you, Ruben Tejada?
Tejada recorded his fourth double in a 2-for-4 effort at the plate, improving his average to .281 for the spring. He hasn’t been bad at all this spring in all fairness. However, I wonder if he’s feeling the heat from Muno and Matt Reynolds right now.
By the way, it’s worth noting since Tejada earned his money through the arbitration process, his salary is not guaranteed for the season. So, stay tuned…
Other notes from Saturday:
Jeurys Familia entered the game with the bases loaded and one out, and stranded all three runners after recording back-to-back strikeouts. However, he allowed the go-ahead run to score in the eighth inning, allowing a run on two hits with a walk in 1 1/3 innings.
Juan Lagares reached base three times and scored a run out of the leadoff spot for the Mets, raising his average to .394 for the spring.
Zack Thornton continued his impressive spring as he makes a bid to (potentially) replace Vic Black, lowering his ERA to 1.29 for the spring with two-innings of one-hit ball.
John Mayberry Jr. continued his strong spring, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
The Mets are hitting .296 as a team so far this spring, but have committed 15 errors in 21 games.
Just Mets 