The Mets rounded out their 2026 Grapefruit League schedule with a 4-3 loss to the Miami Marlins.
Here are the key takeaways…
— The Mets trotted out what’s likely to be their Opening Day lineup, minus Francisco Alvarez:
But even with that much punch in the lineup, the Mets couldn’t do much of anything against Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, until they started a rally in the fourth. Alcantara didn’t allow a hit until a Francisco Lindor single off the first baseman’s glove in the fourth inning. Juan Soto followed with a single of his own, and Bo Bichette then ripped a double into the left field corner to give the Mets their first run of the day. A Jorge Polanco sac fly to left and a Brett Baty single up the middle made it a three-run inning for the Mets.
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Alcantara was pulled in fourth but came back out to pitch the fifth. In all, the righty went 4.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits while striking out six without a walk.
— David Peterson made his final start of the spring for the Mets. After a pair of scoreless innings, the tall lefty allowed a run in the third on a pair of singles and wild pitch. He got into another jam in the fourth, with runners at first and third and one out, but a pickoff at first base followed by a strikeout on the next pitch quickly ended the threat.
Peterson went 5.0 inning, allowing one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk. His ERA for the spring was 4.15.
—Carson Benge showed off another aspect of his overall game, dropping a bunt single off Alcantara and advancing to second on a throwing error. Benge went 1-for-3, and with Mike Tauchman to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus, it sure appears like Benge will be the Opening Day right fielder. He finished his spring with a .366 average.
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— Luke Weaver didn’t end his spring on a high note. The right-handed reliever came on to pitch the sixth, but his command was all over the place. Weaver recorded just one out and walked three, leaving with the bases loaded.
He’d ultimately be charged with one earned run, and he finished his spring with an ERA of 2.08.
–Lindor went 1-for-4, ending his shortened spring training with a .158 average. Bichette and Baty both ended their springs with identical .333 batting averages.
Highlights
What’s Next?
The Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday for Opening Day, with first pitch set for 1:15 p.m.
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Freddy Peralta will start against reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
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