Spring Training Game Chat: Mets vs. Red Sox, 1:05 P.M.

Sunday, March 2, 2025 • 1:05 PM
JetBlue Park • Ft Myers, FL
RHP Paul Blackburn (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Walker Buehler (0-0, -.–)
WHSQ 880 AM (Mets Radio)

The New York Mets were firing on all cylinders in Saturday’s win against the Tampa Bay Rays; the Mets third win in a row! Now, the Mets look to get a winning record for the first time this spring since the first day of spring.

This weekend the Mets traveled to the west coast of Florida, playing against a pair of teams they normally don’t get to face in March. After today’s game, the Mets will play their next nine games against the Marlins, Cardinals, Astros or Nationals.

Mets Lineup

1. Jeff McNeil, 2B
2. Francisco Alvarez, C
3. Jesse Winker, DH
4. Jose Siri, CF
5. Alexander Canario, LF
6. Brett Baty, 3B
7. Jared Young, 1B
8. José Azócar, RF
9. Donovan Walton, SS

Red Sox Lineup

1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Triston Casas, 1B
4. Trevor Story, SS
5. Masataka Yoshida, DH
6. Trayce Thompson, RF
7. David Hamilton, 2B
8.  Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
9. Carlos Narváez, C

Game Notes

The Mets will get a look at Red Sox newest signees Walker Buehler (first spring start) and Alex Bregman, among others.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Paul Blackburn’s second start. The Mets have an opening or two in the rotation due to the injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. Paul Blackburn is one of a few pitchers competing for those two spots. Over the last couple of days, we’ve seen the younger pitchers in camp (Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell) dominate in their starts. Blackburn pitched a clean inning in his first game, striking out one batter and allowing no hits and no walks. How far does he go into this game?
2. Rico Garcia. According to Saturday’s game notes, Garcia is scheduled to make his third appearance in spring this afternoon for the Mets. Garcia is in camp on a non-roster invitee deal. In his first two games, he allowed two hits and struck out three batters while not allowing any runs to score. Garcia had a successful 2024 for the Nationals in Rochester, posting a 3.94 ERA over 61 2/3 innings. If he puts up similar numbers for Syracuse this season, we’ll see him in Queens at some point.
3. A New Face in Town. Walker Buehler held the Mets scoreless over four innings in the National League Championship Series. He was a major signing for the Boston Red Sox this year who are looking to challenge the Yankees and the Orioles for the American League East. For the Mets’ bats, this presents a second-straight day to get some reps in against a serious starting pitcher.

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