For the second straight day the Mets will take on a World Baseball Classic team getting ready for this weekend’s opening games. This time the Mets will take on a much stronger Venezuelan squad.
The good news for the Mets yesterday is the pitching looked strong. Max Scherzer looked good outside of a homer he gave up. Besides that he struck out nine batters in three innings. Nine batters. Three innings. Pretty great. After him Orze, Coonrod, Brigham, McFarland, Yacabonis and Walker all tossed scoreless innings. The problem for the Mets yesterday was their hitting – Mauricio recorded the only hit for the Mets.
Venezuela had a much more exciting game yesterday, beating the Astros 9-8. Escobar pinch hit and played third yesterday earning two walks in both trips to the plate. Omar Narváez recorded a hit and a walk in his two trips to the plate.
Three Things To Watch For:
- José Butto: Butto will be pitching in his third game this spring. In his first outing he allowed one run from two walks, no hits over 1 2/3 innings. In his second outing he allowed one run from two hits in two innings. Overall he struck out seven batters over 3 2/3 innings. The Mets already have had their starting pitching depth tested early with an injury to Quintana – that makes every start Butto make so much more important as he rises up the depth chart.
- You Look Familiar: Eduardo Escobar and Omar Narváez, are both on the roster for Venezuela. They are joined by former Mets Robinson Chirinos and Andrés Giménez. Since being traded from the Mets, Giménez has blossomed into a star. That trade may go down in history as an example with both teams coming out as winners.
- What are the Rules? I love the World Baseball Classic. One valid criticism is the roll out of the rules for major league baseball and the WBC. The WBC is not using the pitch clock and the new bases. This means players in major league camp are going from new rules, to old rules back to new rules This applies to the exhibition games as well. Luckily for everyone in Mets camp, this issue will pass after today.
Let’s Go Mets!
