The Mets came from behind to defeat the Nationals 8-3 tonight at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. Here are my takeaways from tonight’s game…
Mets continue to show off the power.
The Mets hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning with solo home runs from Juan Lagares and Matt Reynolds in that order. Matt den Dekker then homered in the eighth inning. That marks a Grapefruit League leading 31 home runs in 24 games for the Mets, an impressive mark for a squad which really struggled in the power department last season. It’s difficult to read too much into it, however, considering the ball travels well in Florida this time of year.
To me, it’s more about the approach, and that’s been very impressive which has led to their improved offensive marks. Can they carry the approach into the regular season? Time will tell.
Speaking of Matt Reynolds…
Reynolds had another big night at the plate, and turned this game around for the Mets: Double, homer, sac fly, three RBI, and that began when he pinch hit for Buddy Carlyle in the seventh inning.
He’s got a great looking swing, and he sprays the ball all over the field. I don’t like to read too much into March performances as I said, but between his breakout campaign last year and what he’s put on display this spring, it’s hard to argue that bat is not close to big league ready.
Matt Bowman is on the rise.
Bowman needed only 48 pitches to get through five scoreless innings tonight. He is known as a strike thrower, and he did just that tonight, showing off command of his fastball and off-speed with good, crisp rhythm and tempo.
It’s not clear where Bowman might fit into the puzzle with the Mets. But, they like him and his ability to throw strikes so consistently has got to play for them at some point, especially if he’s effective in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season.
Lucas Duda’s struggles against left-handed pitching continue.
0-for-3, two more strikeouts against left-handed pitching today. He does have hits against CC Sabathia and David Price this spring, but that’s it. He has said it’s a tired topic, but it won’t go away until he shows he can hit lefties consistently.
Duda is hitting just .129 this spring. It’s somewhat deceiving considering he’s faced a lot of lefties, which I assume is by design. But between the intercostal injury early in camp and his struggles at the dish since, it hasn’t been a good spring for the Mets first baseman. Hopefully, when the bell rings, his fortunes change.
Dario Alvarez is getting left-handed hitters out.
The issues on the left side of the Mets bullpen are obvious, but Alvarez has really stood out over his last five appearances. He hasn’t allowed a run over that span, allowing only two baserunners in three innings in those five games. He retired two more lefties today, who were hitting .100 against him coming into play this spring.
He’s on the 40-man roster, so if the Mets don’t acquire anyone, Alvarez is certainly making a very strong case to break camp with the team, perhaps stronger than any of the contenders.
Other notes from Thursday:
Wilmer Flores returned to the lineup after missing the last three games with a bruised foot, and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
Jeurys Familia’s inconsistent spring continued with three runs, four hits and a walk allowed in only 2/3 of an inning. He has a 6.43 ERA this spring.
The Mets recorded six more extra-base hits tonight, marking 99 in 24 spring games.
Just Mets 