Game Chat: Mets vs Marlins, 6:40 PM
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 • 6:40 PM
loanDepot park • Miami, FL
RHP Kodai Senga (0-0, -.–) vs. RHP Sandy Alcantara (0-0, 3.86)
SNY
No need to lease an apartment in Panic City—the Mets offense came roaring back to life last night. The Mets scored 10 runs, powered by four home runs, including a Pete Alonso grand slam as they beat the Marlins to take the first game of the series.
Tonight, we get a battle of aces coming off of lost years due to injury. Kodai Senga returns after making only one start in the regular season. Sandy Alcantara missed all of 2024 after having Tommy John in October 2023. Should be an exciting night in Miami!
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Mets Lineup
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Juan Soto – RF
- Pete Alonso – 1B
- Brandon Nimmo – LF
- Mark Vientos – 3B
- Jesse Winker – DH
- Luis Torrens – C
- Luisangel Acuña – 2B
- Jose Siri – CF
Kodai Senga was a sensation in 2023. He finished the season making 29 starts, tossing 166 1/3 innings with a 2.98 ERA, 3.63 FIP, 1.220 WHIP and a 140 ERA+. He struck out 202 batters, was an All-Star, finished 7th in Cy Young voting and 2nd for Rookie of the Year voting. Injuries fully derailed his 2024. He made one start in July, allowing two runs over 5 1/3 innings before an injury sidelined him again until October. How far the Mets go this year could depend on how Senga comes back from injury.
There are only three Marlins have have seen Senga in an official major league game:
- Xavier Edwards 0-4, K
- Nick Fortes 0-2, K
- Matt Mervis 0-2, BB, K
Marlins Lineup
- Xavier Edwards – SS
- Kyle Stowers – LF
- Otto Lopez – 2B
- Matt Mervis – 1B
- Griffin Conine – RF
- Jonah Brdie – DH
- Graham Pauley – 3B
- Dane Myers – CF
- Nick Fortes – C
Sandy Alcantara missed all of 2024 recovering from Tommy John surgery. The ace of the Marlins staff had a tremendous 2022 with an 8.0 bWAR over 228 2/3 innings. His 2023 was a step back, where he had a 4.14 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.213 WHIP and a 113 ERA (3.9 bWAR) over 184 2/3 innings. In his first start this year, he allowed two runs from two hits and four walks while striking out seven over 4 2/3 innings.
The Mets have the following career numbers against Sandy:
- Pete Alonso 5-32, 3 2B, HR, 2 BB, 8 K
- Francisco Lindor 7-25, 2 2B, HR, 3 BB, 4 K
- Starling Marte 5-15, 2 3B, HR, BB, 3 K
- Brandon Nimmo 4-30, 2 2B, 4 BB, 6 K
- Jose Siri 2-6, 2B, K
- Juan Soto 11-38, 2B, 2 HR, 6 BB, 6 K
- Tyrone Taylor 0-6, 2 K
- Jesse Winker 1-4, 2B
Game Notes
Sean Manaea had a setback in his rehab, reinjuring his oblique. He’s not expected back until at least late May.
Kodai Senga has a new two-seamer/sinker that he debuted in spring training. Look out for that—and his miracle ball—tonight!
Francisco Lindor is back in the lineup after the birth of his son. He was available off the bench Monday night but didn’t play in the blowout loss.
Three Things To Watch For
- Juan Soto to Pete Alonso. Last night’s game functioned exactly how the Mets hoped it would. Juan Soto worked a walk to load the bases. Pete Alonso then made the Marlins pay with a grand slam. The Mets were leading 2-1 before Pete’s grand salami. Juan Soto was the person you wanted up with two on. Pete was person you wanted to break the game open. More of this, please!
- Containing Otto Lopez. What a start for Lopez in 2025! He is slashing .400/.478/.700 over 20 at bats this season, including his second three-hit performance last night against the Mets (3-for-5, HR, K). In 2024, Lopez had only six home runs over 403 ABs. He already has two this year. The Mets need an answer for him now, and a week from now when the Marlins travel to Queens.
- Lindor’s Bat. There has been a lot of talk about the torpedo bats that the Yankees were using against the Brewers last weekend. At some point over the weekend, it was reported that Lindor was also using one of the torpedo bats in Houston. Steve Gelbs reported that Lindor was actually using the torpedo bat a handful of times in 2024, it just wasn’t as “torpedo-y” shaped as it is this year.
Let’s go Mets!
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