The New York Mets are set to face the St. Louis Cardinals today, March 12, 2025, at 1:05 PM ET at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.
New York Mets:
Mets Starting Lineups:
- Francisco Lindor (S) – Shortstop
- Juan Soto (L) – Right Field
- Pete Alonso (R) – First Base
- Jesse Winker (L) – Left Field
- Mark Vientos (R) – Third Base
- Starling Marte (R) – Designated Hitter
- Luis Torrens (R) – Catcher
- Tyrone Taylor (R) – Center Field
- Luisangel Acuña (R) – Second Base
Starting Pitcher: Paul Blackburn (RHP) – 0-1, 11.57 ERA, 1 SO
4 things to watch for the New York Mets:
- Paul Blackburn’s Performance: Starting pitcher Paul Blackburn is slated to take the mound. Assessing his command and effectiveness during Spring Training is crucial for the team’s rotation depth. He’s had some mixed outings this spring. On Feb 26th against the Marlins, Blackburn delivered a flawless inning needing just seven pitches—all strikes—to retire the side. His next outing on March 7th against the Nationals, Blackburn started strong with two scoreless innings but encountered trouble in the third. He allowed three runs, including home runs to James Wood and CJ Abrams.
- Luisangel Acuña’s Development at Second Base: Acuña is getting another start at second base, a position where he could see more playing time in the majors if Jeff McNeil shifts to a utility role. His defensive instincts, range, and arm strength are solid, but his double-play footwork and infield chemistry with Francisco Lindor remain areas to monitor. His offensive approach—specifically, his ability to get on base and make hard contact—will also be crucial in determining his timeline for a big-league call-up.
- Luis Torrens’ Role as the Starting Catcher Option: With Francisco Álvarez sidelined (hamate surgery), Torrens is the Mets’ likely Opening Day catcher. He’s known for his solid framing skills and ability to handle a pitching staff, but the Mets need offensive productionfrom the position in Álvarez’s absence. Torrens had a strong game on March 10, including a home run, so watching how he performs at the plate today could be key in determining how much playing time he secures over the next two months.
- Starling Marte’s Speed and Baserunning Impact: Marte continues his return from core surgery, and while his bat has looked fine, his speed and ability to take extra bases remain under scrutiny. If he can show he still has explosiveness on the basepaths and can be a factor in stealing bases. He gives the Mets another dimension offensively or worst case scenario a potential trading option.
St. Louis Cardinals:
- Masyn Winn (R) – Shortstop
- Brendan Donovan (L) – Second Base
- Lars Nootbaar (L) – Left Fieldmlb.com
- Nolan Arenado (R) – Third Base
- Alec Burleson (L) – First Base
- Nolan Gorman (L) – Designated Hitter
- Pedro Pagés (R) – Catcher
- Victor Scott II (L) – Center Field
- Michael Siani (L) – Right Field
Starting Pitcher: Miles Mikolas (RHP) – 0-0, 4.15 ERA, 4 SO
4 things to watch for the St. Louis Cardinals:
- Prospect Performance: Keep an eye on emerging talents such as Masyn Winn. His development during Spring Training could impact roster decisions and add depth to the squad.
- Miles Mikolas on the Mound: Miles Mikolas is expected to start for the Cardinals. His performance will be indicative of his readiness and form as the regular season nears.
- Offensive Cohesion: Watch how the Cardinals’ lineup gels, particularly with key players like Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar. Their synergy can set the tone for the team’s offensive strategy.
- Defensive Alignments: Pay attention to the defensive setups, especially with versatile players like Brendan Donovan. Understanding their roles can provide clarity on the team’s tactical approach.
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