Mets' Brett Baty Earns Opening Day Start as Designated Hitter Brett Baty has been named the New York Mets’ Opening Day starter, set to play as the designated hitter and bat sixth in the lineup during Thursday’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision was announced as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 season, with Baty facing right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes in the first game. His selection over right-handed-hitting Mark Vientos highlights the Mets’ strategy to leverage Baty’s left-handed power against right-handed starters. Baty, a versatile utility player, is expected to see significant playing time in multiple positions throughout the season. While his Opening Day role is at designated hitter, he is also likely to start at first base when facing right-handed pitching. However, the team has opted to give rookie Jorge Polanco his first career start at first base in the opener, signaling a potential shift in the lineup’s dynamics. The Mets’ decision to prioritize Baty for the Opening Day start reflects his role as a key offensive contributor. His ability to hit left-handed pitching effectively makes him a valuable asset in matchups against right-handed starters, a common scenario in the National League. Baty’s inclusion in the lineup also underscores the team’s focus on maximizing his batting skills while managing the workload of other players. Beyond the Opening Day lineup, the Mets have been monitoring Baty’s progress as he continues to develop his game. Recent updates indicate he is recovering from a minor hamstring injury sustained during spring training, which has limited his playing time in recent weeks. Despite the setback, his presence in the Opening Day lineup suggests the team remains confident in his readiness to contribute at the start of the season.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #brett_baty
The New York Mets are unlikely to give Mark Vientos much playing time in the early weeks of the 2026 season, as the team’s schedule and roster adjustments position him as a bench player heading into the campaign. Vientos, the Mets’ third baseman, faces a critical season after his performance declined significantly in 2025, leaving his role on the team uncertain. With the roster reshaped, he is not assured of a prominent role, especially as the team navigates a challenging early schedule. The Mets’ first series of the season will feature the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose starting rotation includes right-handed pitchers Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller. The Pirates’ entire starting five consists of right-handed hurlers, which means Vientos is unlikely to see significant action in the third game of the series unless a late-game pinch-hitting opportunity arises. This scheduling quirk could keep him sidelined for several games, limiting his chances to contribute early in the season. Following the Pirates series, the Mets will travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, whose back-end starters, Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy, are also right-handed. This further extends Vientos’ bench time, as the team may not need him until the sixth game of the season. At that point, Opening Day starter Matthew Liberatore will be on the mound, potentially giving Vientos a chance to enter the lineup. However, the timing of his opportunities remains uncertain, as the Mets’ schedule and pitching staff composition may continue to restrict his playing time in the opening weeks. Vientos’ situation highlights the challenges of adapting to a restructured roster and the impact of scheduling decisions on a player’s role.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #mitch_keller
Mets' Mark Vientos: Absent from Opening Day Lineup Mark Vientos will not be part of the New York Mets’ Opening Day lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision comes as the team plans to start right-hander Paul Skenes on the mound for the Pirates. In the batting order, first baseman Jorge Polanco and left-handed-hitting designated hitter Brett Baty have been named to the starting lineup. Vientos, a right-handed hitter, is expected to remain on the bench against right-handed pitchers, as the Mets aim to leverage platoon advantages. However, the team has indicated that Vientos may not be a regular option in such scenarios due to his limited effectiveness against right-handed pitching. The absence of Vientos from the Opening Day lineup highlights the Mets’ strategic approach to balancing their roster. While Polanco provides stability at first base, Baty’s left-handed bat adds an element of versatility against right-handed starters. Vientos’ potential role as a platoon bat remains uncertain, with the team likely monitoring his performance during spring training before making long-term decisions. The decision to bench him for the opener underscores the importance of matchups in shaping the initial lineup. Vientos’ absence also reflects the broader context of the Mets’ roster management, as they continue to evaluate player roles and optimize their offensive strategy. The team’s focus on platoon advantages suggests a calculated effort to maximize the strengths of their hitters while mitigating weaknesses. This approach aligns with the competitive nature of Major League Baseball, where small adjustments can have significant impacts on game outcomes.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #jorge_polanco
Pirates and Mets Set for 2026 Opening Day Showdown After a disappointing 2025 season, both the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates are eager to turn things around in 2026. The Mets, who saw their promising start to the season unravel in the second half and finished just one game short of the playoffs, aim to reclaim the NL East after more than a decade of sharing the division with the Nationals, Braves, and Phillies. The Pirates, meanwhile, hope to break free from last-place struggles in the National League Central, where their standout rookie Paul Skenes couldn’t single-handedly lift them to contention. The 2026 season kicks off with a highly anticipated Opening Day matchup between the two teams on April 3 at Citi Field. The game, set for a 1:15 p.m. ET first pitch, will feature a star-studded pitching duel between Skenes and the Mets’ newly acquired ace, Freddy Peralta. Skenes, the defending NL Cy Young Award winner, enters the season with a 1.97 ERA from 2025, the lowest by any Pirates starter since 1920. His performance in the World Baseball Classic and spring training has reinforced his readiness to dominate. Peralta, a two-time All-Star with a 2.70 ERA in 2025, was immediately named the Mets’ Opening Day starter by manager Carlos Mendoza, who praised his credentials and recent success. Fans can watch the game live on MLB.TV, MLB.com, NBC, or Peacock, with audio available via Audacy Mets Radio. Out-of-market viewers should note that live games are accessible in the U.S. and select international regions, though blackouts may apply. For Mets fans, the game will not be broadcast on SNY. The Pirates’ lineup for the opener is expected to lean on a revamped middle order, with Oneil Cruz leading the charge.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #carlos_mendoza #freddy_peralta
Jacob Misiorowski is poised for a breakout sophomore season with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to insights from MLB insider Eno Sarris. The 24-year-old right-hander has been named the team’s Opening Day starter after Brandon Woodruff’s readiness for the role was called into question. While Misiorowski’s raw talent—highlighted by his triple-digit fastball and devastating slider—suggests he could thrive as a top-tier pitcher, his rookie campaign revealed gaps in command and consistency. Sarris, writing for The Athletic, noted that Misiorowski is refining his arsenal with a new changeup grip designed to add more drop and tail. Though data on its effectiveness is limited, the innovation has already sparked optimism about his potential. Sarris went a step further, labeling Misiorowski’s 2026 Cy Young Award prediction as one of his “bold” forecasts, acknowledging the low probability of such a claim succeeding. Still, the prospect of him competing with elite pitchers like Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the NL is seen as a major milestone. Misiorowski’s development is critical for the Brewers, who are seeking to replace the production lost when Freddy Peralta was traded to the Mets. His stuff-over-command profile has historically made him vulnerable to fluctuations, particularly against left-handed hitters, who posted an OPS of .731 against him last season—well above the league average and over 100 points higher than right-handed batters (.609). However, his elite fastball, which combines velocity and movement, provides a buffer for his secondary pitches. The new double-circle changeup is viewed as a potential game-changer, especially against lefties. Sarris highlighted how Misiorowski’s slider, which dominates right-handed hitters, could mirror the effectiveness of this new offering.#paul_skenes #the_athletic #milwaukee_brewers #jacob_misiorowski #eno_sarris
USA Advances to WBC Championship After Controversial Call, Italy & Venezuela Fight for Finals Bid The United States secured its place in the World Baseball Classic championship game for the third consecutive tournament, thanks to a dramatic 2–1 victory over the Dominican Republic. The decisive moment came in the ninth inning when a controversial strike three call ended the game, sparking debate among players and fans. Despite the Dominican Republic’s high-octane offense, the U.S. team’s dominant pitching, led by Paul Skenes, and a resilient bullpen held them in check throughout the contest. The matchup, hailed as one of the most star-studded games in WBC history, was marked by intense competition. The U.S. lineup, featuring top-tier talent, managed to outlast the DR’s explosive attack, which had been a major threat throughout the tournament. Skenes’ performance was pivotal, as he combined with a strong bullpen to limit the DR’s scoring opportunities. However, the game’s conclusion remains contentious, with Dominican Republic players and fans expressing frustration over the final call. The incident has reignited discussions about the need for improved umpiring protocols, including the potential implementation of automatic ball-strike technology, which could be introduced in future tournaments. As the tournament progresses, the semifinal showdown between Italy and Venezuela will determine the final opponent for the United States in the championship. Both teams have shown resilience, with Venezuela upsetting Japan in the quarterfinals and Italy advancing through a tough path. Analysts note that Venezuela’s victory over Japan was not entirely unexpected, given their strong performance and depth.#united_states #venezuela #dominican_republic #world_baseball_classic #paul_skenes
More Top Pitchers Join World Baseball Classic Amid Shift in Attitudes The World Baseball Classic has seen a notable increase in participation from top-tier pitchers, with stars like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal joining Team USA’s roster. This shift marks a departure from past hesitations, as teams and players now view the tournament as a valuable opportunity rather than a risk. The 2023 edition of the WBC, which featured standout performances and dramatic moments, has played a key role in changing perceptions. Daisuke Matsuzaka’s experience in the 2006 and 2009 tournaments serves as a cautionary tale. The Japanese star, who won MVP honors in the inaugural WBC with three dominant starts, faced a steep decline in 2009 after a rushed buildup to the event. Shoulder fatigue led to a sharp drop in his performance, culminating in a 5.76 ERA and limited innings for the Red Sox. His struggles highlighted the potential risks of participating in the tournament, prompting many elite pitchers to avoid it in subsequent years. However, the 2023 WBC’s success has encouraged a new mindset. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched extensively in the 2023 postseason, still committed to representing Japan, while other nations have followed suit. The Dominican Republic’s roster includes 2025 NL Cy Young runner-up Cristopher Sánchez, 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, and Red Sox starter Brayan Bello. Venezuela’s lineup features Ranger Suárez, who signed a $130 million deal with the Red Sox in January. The United States has also embraced the tournament, with elite relievers like Garrett Whitlock joining Team USA’s bullpen alongside closers Mason Miller and David Bednar.#world_baseball_classic #paul_skenes #tarik_skubal #daisuke_matsuzaka #yoshinobu_yamamoto
