Spring Training Game Chat: Astros vs. Mets, 1:10 P.M.

Sunday, March 1, 2026 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
RHP Jason Alexander (0-0, 54.00) vs. RHP Clay Holmes (0-0, 4.91)
SNY

New York Mets camp is starting to get a bit lighter, but not because of cuts.

The World Baseball Classic starts this week and participating teams are starting their workouts with exhibition games happening Tuesday and Wednesday. The Mets have about 16 players departing camp including Sunday’s starter, Clay Holmes.

With that many players departing the team for at least the next week or so, the Mets will have a lot more spots for players fighting for roster spots to get more significant playing time.

Mets Lineup

1. Marcus Semien – 2B
2. Carson Benge – RF
3. Luis Torrens – C
4. Mike Tauchman – DH
5. Tyrone Taylor – LF
6. Ronny Mauricio – 3B
7. Christian Arroyo – 1B
8. Vidal Bruján – SS
9. Cristian Pache – CF

Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes

Astros Lineup

1. Jose Altuve – 2B
2. Isaac Parades – DH
3. Zach Cole – LF
4. Yainer Diaz – C
5. Joey Loperfido – RF
6. Jack Winkler – 1B
7. Joseph Sullivan – CF
8. Riley Unroe – 3B
9. Nick Allen – SS

Starting Pitcher: Jason Alexander

Game Notes

MJ Melendez is not in the lineup today as he has already reported to his WBC assignment with Puerto Rico.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Clay Holmes. After Sunday Holmes will head off to join Team USA with Nolan McLean. Ace pitchers Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal have made public commitments about limiting the amount they are willing to pitch in the WBC. If team USA goes far, this increases the chances for Holmes to get more reps. Potentially, this is a good thing for Holmes. The Mets have to face the Nationals and Marlins a lot in spring training. It’s not a bad thing to get Holmes more reps against major-league quality hitting that are on different teams. Holmes went deep in his first start of spring, pitching 3 2/3 innings allowing two runs off of one hit and two walks while striking out three.
2. Right Field Competition Check In. Carson Benge, Mike Tauchman, Cristian Pache, and Tyrone Taylor are all getting the start today. Benge has gotten off to a very hot start this spring going 4-for-10 with a stolen base and two runs scored. He has only struck out twice. Cristian Pache has been major surprise going 7-for-10 with a double and a home run (.700/.700/1.100). Everyone involved is doing everything they have to do to prove they should be starting right fielder.
3. Jack Wenninger. Wenninger is scheduled to get his second spring training outing Sunday afternoon. He did well in his first game, scattering two hits and two walks over two innings while striking out three. Wenninger is part of the next group of Mets starting pitching prospects behind Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong.

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