Examining the First Half of the Mets 2023 Schedule

While we all await the conclusion of #C0rreawatch, the Mets first regular season game is suddenly only 85 days away. With the MLB implementing a new  schedule approach in 2023, the Mets schedule will look different than it ever has before, with less divisional games and matchups against every MLB opponent from both leagues.

Since we are now officially in 2023, I took a look at the first half of the Mets 2023 schedule to see where they can potentially feast on bad teams (although we saw how that worked out at times last season), or when they will have to be playing their best to keep up with elite competition or divisional rivals.

Let’s see what the Mets have in store for the first half of the upcoming season.

March/April

The Mets begin their season in Miami on March 30 and actually play six of their first nine games against Miami, with a series in Milwaukee sandwiched in between.  Those games will be important if the Mets want to get off to a good start, as their April schedule is a bit of a beast.

In addition to that tricky road series against the Brew Crew, the Mets also play the Padres in their second home series of the year from April 10-12. Then, after three in Oakland against Trevor May and the A’s, the Mets will make their annual visit to Dodger Stadium from April 17-19 before four in San Francisco against Michael Conforto and the Giants.

The Mets finish out the month with a series against the Nats before their first matchup against the Braves of the year at Citi Field, meaning they will play 16 games in April against teams projected to be competitive in the National League.

May

The good news for the Mets is that their May schedule looks to be much more manageable.

New York will bookend the month with the fourth game of the aforementioned Braves series and the first two of their first series against the Phillies, but in between, there are many winnable games to be had. The Mets play the Colorado Rockies six times in May, starting with three at Citi Field from May 5-7 and then three later in the month in Coors Field from May 26-28.

The Mets also play series against teams expected to be non-competitive next season like the Tigers (May 2-4), the Reds (May 9-11),  and the Nationals (May 12-15). The middle of the month also sees some intriguing, but winnable series against teams like the Rays (May 16-18), the Guardians (May 19-21), and the Cubs (May 23-25).

June

In June, the Mets would be highly advised to take care of business in their series in Pittsburgh  the 9-11th, because there are no other easy matchups to come.

The Mets June schedule sees them take on the Blue Jays , Yankees, Cardinals, and Brewers at home, while they face off against the Braves, Phillies, and defending World Series champion Astros on the road.

If New York fails to take advantage of its light May schedule, June could become a serious challenge if they want to keep pace in the division.

July

Before the MLB All-Star game on July 11, the Mets will make their way through three-fifths of the NL West in July.

First, the Mets play again against the Giants from June 30-July 2. Then, the Amazins’ will finish out the month with three in Arizona against the Diamondbacks and three in San Diego.

All told, the Mets don’t exactly have it easy in the first half of their schedule. While it’s possible some teams projected to be at the top of the standings will disappoint, the Mets have a severe lack of easy series against projected bottom feeders in the first half.

Still, with the schedule now being more balanced, other teams will face tougher schedules next season as well. If the Mets play up to the talent they have on their roster, the quality of the opponents won’t matter and they should still have a successful first half.

However, if the Mets get off to a slow start or experience injuries early, they could find themselves in a hole they will have to dig out of if they want to win their first NL East title since 2015.