Cards Spring Training Game 1 Recap

Final Score - Mets 17, Cards 11
Box Score

Strongest Link: Ludwick (2-3, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBI)
Weakest Link: Zink & Samuel (2.2 IP, 11 ER, 8 H, 6 BB, 1 K)

It was an omen of a bad game to come as the Mets lead off hitter 

Pitching was not the strong point in the Cards' spring training opener on Thursday. The 2 teams combined for 28 runs...on 27 hits. The Cards' pitching handed out 10 free passes.

I actually turned the game off after the 6th inning. I was so amped up to watch the game, and I had to turn it off. I have to keep telling myself that it doesn't matter yet. I was disappointed to see that Pujols, Holliday and Molina would all not be in the game.

Let me get the negatives out of the way. Charlie Zink. His knuckle ball was not knuckling. It was floating. And the Mets were swinging. Zink's pitches certainly did not have the element of surprise. See what I did there? Zink? Element? I am so clever. There. Got that out of the way.

Now let's look at the positives. Ryan Ludwick looked like he was in mid season form. He was hitting the ball well. But so were the rest of the Birds. I mean, they did muster 11 runs. Joe Mather and Ruben Gotay each had 2 hits as well.

Pitching wise, I did see a thing or two that I liked. Adam Ottavino has very strong stuff...when he can control it. He pitched 2 hitless innings early in the game when many of the Mets starters were still in the game. He did give up 1 run however due to the 3 walks he issued. Maybe it was just nerves. But if he can settle down, I see big things in Ottavino's future.

Next game: Friday, 12:05pm, Cards vs. Mets