Just Mets

The Mets lost to the Houston Astros by a score of 4-3 at Tradition Field on Tuesday afternoon. Here are my takeaways from today’s game…

The core is something to get excited about.

For all intents and purposes, David Wright, Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer are the core of the Mets this season, based on both offensive capability, and their leadership skills. So far during Spring, all three of them look as if they’re poised for big years in 2015.

David Wright is hitting .303 with three home runs and 10 RBI this Spring after pulling a home run over the high wall in left field in Tuesday’s game. Wright now has a home run to left, center and right–a good sign as not only is he hitting for power, but he’s hitting to all fields.

Curtis Granderson looks rejuvenated this March, batting a prolific .424 with two home runs and nine RBI. Granderson’s been hitting the ball to all fields as well, and most impressively has been taking balls the other way, something severely lacking in his game. Curtis went 0-for-2 in today’s game, but did draw a walk and score a run.

Michael Cuddyer’s double in today’s win was his ninth extra-base hit this Spring. With five home runs making up the majority of those XBH, the Mets newest acquisition is showing off the power and producing in Spring, hitting at a .351 clip with seven RBI.

If the three of these guys can continue their good approaches and hot hitting, big things may lie ahead, and that’s something to get excited about.

Dillon Gee was okay, and that’s fine.

Back in the rotation, Dillon Gee was shaky in his start today, laboring through four innings, but scattered four hits and a walk while not allowing a run. If you’re expecting Gee to replace Zack Wheeler, prepare to be disappointed.

This is what Gee is, and that’s okay. He’s a fifth starter who’s going to give to 5-6 solid innings on most nights, with the occasional not-so-great start thrown in there every once in awhile.

Gee has had a solid Spring so far, though, posting a 2.45 ERA as both a starter and reliever.

Dario Alvarez is distinguishing himself from the left side.

The leader may be emerging in the Mets search for a left-handed reliever as Dario Alvarez had another solid outing on Tuesday, allowing a hit and no runs with a strikeout in his inning of work. Left-handed hitters went 0-for-2 against Alvarez and the one baserunner reached on an infield single off of his glove.

Alvarez has not allowed a run in his last four outings, spanning a total of three innings.

Other notes from Tuesday:

Kirk Nieuwenhuis‘ cold streak at the plate continues as he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, but did draw a two-out walk in the bottom of the 9th.

Carlos Torres retired the first two batters he faced, but proceeded to allow a hit, commit a balk, and allow two more hits that scored two runs and relinquished the Mets one-run lead.

Lucas Duda went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts.

The Mets scored three runs on two total hits in Tuesday’s loss.