As we hit the final stretch, today also marks our final split squad game of the preseason.  The A team will be hosting Baltimore and Chan Ho Park gets the nod on the mound, presumable because it will make it easier for the Mets brass to watch him as they get ready to finalize the roster.  Yesterdays solid performance by El Duque probably changes somethings, and makes those of us (me for starters) calling for his placement on the DL to start the season look a bit foolish.  The lineup for the A team (and yes, I know there's no first baseman), courtesy of John Delcos

SS Reyes

3B Wright

CF Beltran

LF Alou

C Duca

RF Green

DH Franco

2B Valentin

RHP Park

Delgado is still in Puerto Rico, having left yesterday morning to be with his wife, who went into labor.  I would assume either Franco is actually playing 1B, or its being covered by Carp or Newhan. No word yet though. I'll be back with that info, and hopefully the lineup for the B team playing in Jupiter and led by John Maine as soon as it becomes available.  Meanwhile, come on by the Bleachers today and everyday where we talk Mets baseball, as we too get into inseason chatting shape.

followup

Courtesy of mlb.com, the lineup for the B team game in Jupiter, vs the Marlins.

RF Milledge
3B Newhan
CF Johnson
C Castro
1B Carp
LF Ambres
2B Gotay
SS Hernendez
P Maine

With that solved, its probably safe to assume that Franco is playing 1B rather than DHing, being that the most likely other 1B candidates (Newhan and Carp) are both playing in the B game.