The Mets have a 1:10 PM game against the Yankees at Tradition Field on Sunday. Here are some of the things I am looking for this afternoon…
It’s #HarveyDay.
Matt Harvey is expected to throw around 75 pitches this afternoon against the Yankees, his biggest test to date since undergoing Tommy John Surgery. Harvey has shown outstanding control over his first three starts of the spring, has been throwing hard, and appears to be building more and more stamina as the regular season draws closer. I’m curious to see how amped up he’ll be today, as he’s pitching at home and facing the team he grew up rooting for.
Bullpen auditions.
Once upon a time, the Mets only needed to find a second left-handed reliever for the bullpen. But in less than two weeks, it seems like there’s generally an open audition for relievers. Today, the Mets will be evaluating LHP Sean Gilmartin and RHP’s Buddy Carlyle and Erik Goeddel. All three could be in play for relief roles on Opening Day, depending on whether or not Vic Black starts the season on the disabled list.
Carlyle has been outstanding this spring, as he hasn’t allowed a run in 5 1/3 innings during Grapefruit League play. It hasn’t gone as smooth for Goeddel, as he’s sporting a 6.48 ERA in six games this spring, with the opposition hitting .348 against. However, Goeddel is on the 40-man roster, which will grant him every opportunity to show he belongs over the next two weeks.
Another test for Lucas Duda against left-handed pitching.
Duda recorded his first hit against left-handed pitching yesterday, and he singled in three at-bats against David Price. However, Duda also struck out two times, and he’s now struck out in six of nine at-bats against southpaws this spring. He will face CC Sabathia today which should serve as another good test for the Mets first baseman.
Today’s game will be televised locally on SNY and the YES Network, and can also be seen via MLB.tv. In addition, the game will be aired on WOR 710 AM, WFAN 660 AM Radio, and can be heard via MLB Gameday Audio.
Just Mets 