Freddy Peralta bringing new dynamic to Mets clubhouse as chemistry with Francisco Alvarez grows

PORT ST.LUCIE — Freddy Peralta was a ball of energy in the Mets clubhouse before facing the Yankees on Sunday. Whereas most pitchers prefer solitude on their scheduled day to pitch, even in spring training, Peralta was engaged in a basketball game, shouting as he attempted off-balance shots and laughing most of the way.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.

“I just be myself every day,” Peralta said.“It doesn’t matter if I’m pitching or not pitching, that is what I do.” On this day he faced a skeleton Yankees lineup at Clover Park.

After a rough first inning — with a misplay and weak contact contributing factors — Peralta rebounded into form over the next two to provide the home crowd with a glimpse of the ace who will head to the mound for Opening Day in 2 ½ weeks. Peralta struck out four over three innings, allowing three hits and one walk with two earned runs in the 10-4 victory. An adjustment helped.After relying on his fastball early, Peralta turned to his changeup in the second inning and curveball in the third.

The Yankees were tamed. “After the first inning, me and Alvy had a conversation and we thought that was the right way to do it,” Peralta said, referring to Francisco Alvarez.“We saw that they were swinging a little like they were trying to hunt the fastball earlier and we tried to miss it a little bit more.

I told [Alvarez] and asked him and he said, ‘Yes,’ and it worked.” It was the first time Alvarez handled Peralta (who was starting his second exhibition game this spring) in the Grapefruit League. What has Alvarez learned about Peralta? “He commands his fastball, he commands the curveball and he’s got a great changeup, too,” Alvarez said.“For him it’s more about command.

Every pitch is nasty, so he has just got to command the pitch and that’s it.” Peralta was asked about his chemistry with A...