Spring Training Game Chat: Nationals vs Mets, 1:10 PM

Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
RHP Jake Irvin (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Tobias Myers (1-0, 0.00)
SNY

Going into spring training games on Friday, the Mets had a +1 run differential. Then the Mets beat the Cardinals 14-3. Spring win/loss records and run differentials don’t mean a ton, but it’s better to put up a lot of runs, and not allow a lot of runs than the alternative.

Things feel good after Friday’s game! Freddy Peralta had a dominant three-inning start, allowing no runs and no hits. The team went 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position. MJ Melendez hit two homers. A.J. Ewing went 2-for-2 with a home run and now has a 1.611 OPS in spring. Pache went 3-3 on the day on his journey back to the majors. The team stole three bases. The only blemish was Devin Williams allowing a solo homer in his Mets spring debut. Good vibes all around, hopefully they continue this afternoon.

Mets Lineup

1. Marcus Semien – 2B
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Brett Baty – 1B
5. Francisco Alvarez – C
6. Mark Vientos – DH
7. Mike Tauchman – RF
8. Tyrone Taylor – CF
9. Ronny Mauricio – SS

Starting Pitcher: Tobias Myers

Opposing Lineup

1. Nasim Nuñez – SS
2. James Wood – LF
3. Daylen Lile – RF
4. Brady House – 3B
5. Robert Hassell III – CF
6. Andrés Chaparro – 1B
7. Harry Ford – C
8. Riley Adams – DH
9. Seaver King – 2B

Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin

Game Notes

• MJ Melendez is out of the lineup today after clubbing two homers Friday. He’s slugging 1.000 this spring and has three extra-base hits in 11 at-bats.
• Tobias Myers gets the start Saturday against the Nationals. He made his spring debut against the Blue Jays, striking out three batters over 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
• Marcus Semien is back in the Mets lineup against the Nationals. He clubbed his first homer of the spring against the Astros Thursday and has a 1.250 OPS in eight at-bats.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Right Field Competition. Things are heating up to see who will be the Mets’ right fielder on opening day. Mike Tauchman got the week started by hitting a three-run bomb in his first at-bat with the Mets. On Thursday, Carson Benge went 3-for-3, and yesterday he went 1-for-2 with a stolen base (.400 BA, .855 OPS). MJ Melendez hit two home runs yesterday and became the first Mets hitter to have hit more than one home run this spring. In addition to Mike Tauchman getting the start today, Brett Baty will also make his first start of spring (albeit at first base). Going into spring, before the Melendez/Tauchman signings, Baty was most likely going to be the right fielder if Benge wasn’t ready yet.
2. Francisco Alvarez behind the plate. Alvarez finally gets his first start behind the plate. The Mets announced that they were going to ease their catcher into games this spring, and that is exactly why they’re having him DH earlier this week (0-for-2, K). Alvarez enters camp lighter, after changing his diet in the offseason. The Mets are hoping the young catcher can put a full healthy season together. He has dealt with multiple hand injuries over the last few seasons and had surgery at the end of 2025 to repair a ligament in his right thumb. We are just glad to see him back on the field!
3. Craig Kimbrel. Kimbrel was listed yesterday to make his debut this afternoon at Clover Park. Kimbrel is looking to pitch in his 17th major league season after pitching 12 innings over 14 games between the Braves and Astros last season (2.25 ERA, 4.22 FIP, 1.417 WHIP, 197 ERA+). In his last full season (2024, Baltimore) Kimbrel had a 5.33 ERA, 4.18 FIP, 1.357 WHIP, and a 73 ERA+ over 52 1/3 innings. He’s in camp on a minor league contract, so the Mets will have to create space for him first on the 40-man for Kimbrel to even have a chance make the team.

Let’s go Mets!

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