Today’s Game: Mets vs. Astros
Today at 1 pm, the Mets (6–2) will play the Astros (2–3) in St. Lucie, Fla.
The game will air live on SNY, as well as online at MLB.TV.
…i will be using this post to make random notes about today’s game:
Updated at 4:02 pm: What in the world is Sammy Gervacio doing with the ball, when he shows it to the third baseman before going to his set? That is one of the weirdest, silliest things I have ever seen.
Updated at 3:30 pm: Ike Davis just hit another home run. I love it. The thing with Davis is, what happens in May, when pitchers begin to figure him out, and he struggles? Then what? For all his mediocrity, Daniel Murphy went through that phase, and seems poised to move forward. But, this season, given the pressure to win, can the Mets live with a rookie finding his way at first base, thus moving Murphy to the bench? And so, even if Davis keeps hitting, I still believe the Mets will send him back to Double-A, like they did back in the day with David Wright, where he can keep hitting, and be successful every day.
Updated at 2:36 pm: This is the first time all spring that I have seen Sean Green have any sort of control using that new submariner delivery… thankfully.
Updated at 2:25 pm: Quiet game, so far. Matt Lindstrom just made the Mets look like a Little League team… again, Davis swinging from his heels.
Updated at 1:49 pm: SNY producer Gerard Guilfoyle asked on Twitter, “Is it just me or does Kaz Matsui have more hits vs. the Mets then he did when he was on the team?”
By the way, Santana was pulled from the game, having thrown around 50 pitches. He was up in the strike zone; but overall, for his first start, it was good to see his fastball back around 92 mph.
Updated at 1:36 pm: Ike Davis is aggressive at the plate… but he isn’t fooled by off-speed pitches, which is encouraging.
Updated at 1:30 pm: David Wright is reacting to the ball extremely well, evident by his two-run home run today, golfed high to left field. He’s letting the ball get deep on him, then he’s turning on it, quick, with total authority.
Updated at 1:24 pm: Santana tossed too many pitches in the first inning. This means he will probably only throw one, maybe two, more innings total. Instead, I’d think he’ll leave the game and finish his work on the bullpen behind the ballpark.
Updated at 1:13 pm: Kaz Matsui should not have a goatee. Bad look, man, though it didn’t seem to stop him from jacking a ball for a home run to left field. Santana goofed, and left his fastball out over the plate… By the way, I will always have a special place on this blog for Kaz, as his arrival, instead of Luis Castillo, was one of the first storylines I obsessed over on MetsBlog.com.
Updated at 1:11 pm: By the way, these new Cool Base jerseys are pretty, well, cool. I asked several players about them, and they all seemed excited about the product, which is more airy and free.
Updated at 12:55 pm: It is remarkable how much more confident I am when I see Johan Santana on the mound. He makes all other problems go away.
To read notes and see today’s starting lineup, click below:
Here is today’s lineup:
- CF Gary Matthews Jr.
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- DH Mike Jacobs
- LF Jason Bay
- 1B Ike Davis
- RF Jeff Francoeur
- SS Alex Cora
- C Henry Blanco
Johan Santana will make his first start this spring, followed by Sean Green, Elmer Dessens, Travis Blackley, Eddie Kunz and Jack Egbert in relief.
“I am ready,” Santana told MLB.com. “Let’s go.”
…i am eager to see him back on the mound, in game situations, for the first time since having his elbow cleaned out last summer… i am ready too, johan… let’s go…
