Starting Lineups, Pitchers for New York Mets, Houston Astros March 18 Spring Training Game

The New York Mets will travel to Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida for a spring training game against the Houston Astros Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Here's a look at the starting lineups and starting pitchers for Saturday's Grapefruit League game.
Starting Lineups, Pitchers for New York Mets, Houston Astros March 18 Spring Training Game
Starting Lineups, Pitchers for New York Mets, Houston Astros March 18 Spring Training Game /

The New York Mets will travel to Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida for a spring training game against the Houston Astros Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.

Framber Valdez will take the mound for Dusty Baker's Astros. Valdez finished fifth in American League Cy Young Award voting a season ago, posting a 2.82 ERA over an AL-leading 201.1 innings pitched, and stringing together 25 straight quality starts. With Justin Verlander out of the picture, Valdez will have a chance to establish himself as the Astros' ace in 2023. Verlander signed a two-year, $86.7 million contract in December to reunite with former Detroit Tigers teammate Max Scherzer, joining the New York Mets. Valdez could receive his second-straight start on Opening Day later this month.

Scherzer will start opposite Valdez, for the Mets on Saturday night. Scherzer will turn 39 in July.

Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo is out of the lineup, after exiting Friday's game with a strained right knee and ankle. Nimmo's status is week-to-week, and it appears unlikely that he will return to the Mets in time for Opening Day.

Here's a look at how the Astros will line up for Saturday's game against the Mets:

1) SS Mauricio Dubon

2) 3B Alex Bregman

3) 1B Jose Abreu

4) C Korey Lee

5) CF Chas McCormick

6) LF Jake Meyers

7) RF Corey Julks

8) 2B Rylan Bannon

9) DH Marty Costes

SP Framber Valdez

Here's a look at how the Mets will line up for Saturday's game against the Astros:

1) DH Tim LoCastro

2) SS Jonathan Arauz

3) LF Tommy Pham

4) 1B Darin Ruf

5) C Tomas Nido

6) 3B Mark Vientos

7) RF Lorenzo Cedrola

8) 2B Jose Peraza

9) CF Alex Ramirez

SP Max Scherzer

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Jack Vita
JACK VITA

Jack Vita is a national baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation.