Mets @ Marlins, 1:05 Pm

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

I got here kind of early so I went to the backfields. I saw Mark Wiley working with some minor leaguers and caught the last inning of the "B" game. Stanton struck out, Dominguez flew out to short and Cousins fouled out to behind 3rd. Baker was on deck. Beinfest and Dawson caught the game from a golf cart. I don't know who won the "B" game. Some Mets dude homered while I was watching.

[Swifty]

Here's the B game recap. No mention of a Mets homer (it claims shut out)

Stanton stands out in scrimmage
Whether he is on the main field or a back field, Mike Stanton is makig an impact.

The heralded Marlins prospect had yet another impressive performance on Sunday. This time, it was on Field 2 of the Roger Dean Stadium complex.

In a B Game against the Mets, Stanton went 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. The slugger ripped an RBI double to right-center in the first inning off lefty Pedro Feliciano. He also walked, but was picked off first.

The Marlins won, 7-0.

In his third plate appearance, he stepped up with the bases loaded. The Mets were throwing R.A. Dickey, who throws a knuckleball.

On a 2-2 offering, Stanton delivered a two-run single.

"You've got to put the ball in play," Stanton said. "There are no excuses if you don't put the ball in play, regardless if he is a knuckleball pitcher or he's throwing 120. You've got to."

Stanton, 20, says he has faced a knuckleball thrower before. It was last year at Double-A.

"You just have got to be patient," Stanton said when facing a ball that is fluttering at him.

In his final at-bat, he struck out. But overall, it was another strong performance for the right fielder, who is making a case to make the team.

The Marlins are weighing whether Stanton is ready to make the big league leap. Most likely, he will open again in Double-A. But the way he's performing, it wouldn't be surprising if he gets called up before the All-Star Break.

Vinny Rottino connected on a solo home run.

-- Joe Frisaro

[Bobbob1313]

I am here with the wife, her family and my mom. The line for tickets is ridiculous.

Anibal faced 5 batters in the first. That's all I can say from what I've heard outside.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Frisaro is wrong about the shut out. I saw the homer. Unless I missed them catching it and the guy rounded the bases for nothing.

[Bobbob1313]

Only tickets left are standing room only.

Boo.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

Where are you sitting Bobbob? I am in the 4th row behind the Marlins dugout. Joe Espada is directly in front of me right now.
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It is pretty full in here. With the Mets running out their opening day lineup (including Santana), I'm not too surprised.

[AdamRavs]

Logan K's.. Helms singled before that

[Bobbob1313]

I'm still outside, but I'll be in Standing Room Only when I go in.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

4 scoreless innings for Anibal. Only 1 walk. McClung up in the pen.
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Still 0-0 entering the 5th. McClung on the mound.

[AdamRavs]

I would say our top 3 is set in JJ, Ricky, and Anibal.. Volstad would be 4 and the 5th is a crapshoot with the walkalot brothers and vandy

[Swifty]

We've got 3 starters set, but we still need a true third starter.

[AdamRavs]

Anibal is going to have a breakout yr. As long as his arm doesn't fall off!

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

McClung gives up a bloop double but works a scoreless 5th. Tim Wood up in the pen.

[Swifty]

I won't disagree that he'll have results, but he is not your ideal #3. He's a 4/5. He lacks the stuff to be a dominant strikeout guy, and his breaking stuff is really all max effort.

Sanchez figures to give us a lot of 5 or 6 inning starts. That's fine, no arguments here, but you want your middle guys to be able to go the distance when they're "on." Anibal's arm really won't allow that. If he's "on" he'll still likely have 100 pitches by the end of the 5th and then we have to rely on 4 bullpen innings.

[THE_REAL_MIBS]

I agree that I think our top 4 are set. I wrote in the rotation thread that Fredi looks to be giving away clues by letting JJ, Ricky, Anibal and Volstad pitch every 5 days whereas
everyone else is getting shifted around this week.

Anibal and Volstad could still be switched. We'll have to see what happens. They sent Ricky to Viera on Monday so he wouldn't face the Mets since he'll see them in game 2. Both Anibal and Volstad have faced the Mets now. Anibal is actually lined up to face them again a second time while Volstad is not. We'll have to see how this plays out.

It also looks like VandenHurk is getting pushed back a couple days since Kris Harvey started today's "B" game and Volstad is listed as the starter for tomorrow. It looks like Vandy may start the 2nd split squad game on Tuesday.