Baseball returns to Montreal as spring play continues
Mets, Blue Jays begin two-game series, with Hall of Famer Carter set to be honored
Major League Baseball makes a short-lived return to Montreal on Friday, as the Mets take on the Blue Jays in the first game of a two-game exhibition series at Olympic Stadium.
And like the eight other games on the MLB.TV docket Friday, all the action will be free to viewers, as New York's Jenrry Mejia -- vying for the fifth spot in the rotation -- squares off against Toronto's Mark Buehrle at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Before the game, the two clubs will honor Hall of Famer Gary Carter, who passed away in 2012 from brain cancer. Carter spent 12 seasons with Montreal and five with the Mets. Roughly 40,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at the former home of the Expos.
Back in the U.S., a handful of regional rivalries highlight the MLB.TV slate. The Pirates and Phillies play the first of two intrastate exhibitions, as Charlie Morton looks to build on his 1.13 spring ERA. Kyle Kendrick gets the start for the host Phillies.
The Astros and Rangers will be back in Texas on Friday, but not in either of their respective home cities. Instead, the two clubs are set for a two-game exhibition series in San Antonio, both of which will be shown for free on MLB.TV.
In California, both the Freeway Series and the Bay Bridge Series continue with the second game of three on MLB.TV. In Los Angeles, Dodgers prospect Zach Lee gets the ball against the Angels' Garrett Richards. Meanwhile, Tim Lincecum makes his final spring tuneup for the Giants against Oakland's Jesse Chavez, who has entered the rotation after a series of injuries.
But before those two games get underway, the Padres kick off MLB.TV's Golden State triple-header by playing host to the Indians at 9:10 ET at Fowler Park, home to the University of San Diego. The Padres' No. 3 prospect Matt Wisler gets the ball against Cleveland's No. 3 starter, Zach McAllister.
The Cubs, meanwhile, will remain in Arizona, but they'll play their final two exhibition games at the local big league ballpark. In the first of two against the D-backs on MLB.TV, Edwin Jackson gets the start. Shortstop Starlin Castro, who has been battling a right-hamstring strain, will likely play in both games, as he attempts to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The day gets underway with a 1:05 p.m. ET first pitch between the Red Sox and the Twins on MLB.TV. In his final Grapefruit League start, Felix Doubront aims to rebound from a shaky spring, which includes 15 runs in eight innings over his past two starts.