MLB spring training 2023 - What to watch in games on ESPN

Let's watch some baseball! ESPN kicks off MLB spring training with telecasts of four games over four consecutive days, beginning with Monday's New York Mets-St. Louis Cardinals contest from Jupiter, Florida. Just to get that blood flowing, let's check in with a little preview of all four games.

Mets spring storyline to watch: Well, there's the question of whether the solid gold uniform buttons and belt buckles will hinder the Mets on the bases, but let's go with the battle at third base between veteran Eduardo Escobar and rookie Brett Baty, the No. 20 player on Kiley McDaniel's preseason top 100 prospects list. Escobar was OK last year, but not so good that it prevented the Mets from initially agreeing to a deal with Carlos Correa to replace him. Baty was one of the best hitters in the upper minors last season, slashing .315/.410/.533 and earning a promotion to the Mets that ended after a few games with a torn ligament. Look for Baty to win the job and Escobar to slide into a utility role.

Player to watch: David Peterson is the scheduled starter for the Mets and while he's presumably sixth in the rotation depth chart behind Carlos Carrasco, he had a solid 2022 season and will certainly start at some point this season — whether the Mets use a six-man rotation at times or if he's needed because of injury.

Baseball is back! Get ready for Opening Day by checking out this year's biggest stars in spring training action.

Games on ESPN (all times ET) Mon, Feb. 27: Mets-Cardinals, 1 p.m. Tue, Feb. 28: Astros-Mets, 1 p.m. Wed, Mar. 1: Nationals-Yankees, 1 p.m. Thu, Mar. 2: Phillies-Red Sox, 12 p.m.

Cardinals spring storyline to watch: No team has as much outfield depth as the Cardinals have with Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson and