Good Morning Mets Fans. The New York Mets close out their first series of the 2017 season tonight against the Atlanta Braves. Matt Harvey will make his season debut today, in what will be his first Major League start since coming off surgery to correct Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He will be opposed by Jaime Garcia of the Braves.
Tonight’s game is scheduled for a 7:10 PM ET start and can be seen on SNY as well as heard on 710 WOR.
LATEST METS NEWS
Yesterday, Jacob deGrom put forth a fantastic effort in his first start of the season. The deGrominator pitched six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out six. He would earn a no-decision in the team’s 3-1 loss to Atlanta in extra innings. He now has an ERA of just 1.90 in 39 career starts at Citi Field. His 1.90 ERA at home is the second-lowest ERA in the majors since 2014 among starting pitchers with at least 200 home innings pitched, he only trails Clayton Kershaw who sports a home ERA of 1.53. Read more from Brian Costello in the NY Post.
Bartolo Colon made his return to Citi Field last night and pitched quiet effectively. Big Sexy allowed just one run on the day and two hits while striking out six. He received a standing ovation when he came to bat at the top of the third inning as fans continue to show admiration for the joyful Colon. With Wednesday’s start, Colon became the oldest pitcher to start a game for Atlanta since Dennis Martinez made five starts for the club during his age 44 season in 1998. Read more from John Healey in the NYDN.
With the rotation depth continuing to take hits this early in the season, manager, Terry Collins advises that he plans to be extra cautious with his pitchers. The organization hopes that some of their starters down in Las Vegas get off to fast starts this season so that they may seemingly have a bit more of a cushion. The depth that was talked so much about entering the season has quickly thinned from seven viable starters down to five. Read more from Laura Albanese in Newsday.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
Washington Nationals manager, Dusty Baker intends to tinker with numerous lineups in the beginning of 2017. Read more from Jorge Castilo in the Washington Post.
Kris Medlen is attempting to make a comeback with the Atlanta Braves, the team whom he started his Major League career with. Read more from David O’Brien in theAJC.com.
Matt Gelb of Philly.com writes on how the Philadelphia Phillies look to avoid the shift for the most part in 2017.
Derek Jeter and Jeb Bush are among bidders who are looking to purchase the Miami Marlins. Read more from Christian Red in the NYDN.
RECENTLY ON MMO
Mets Daddy takes a look at the team’s current rotation depth.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Daniel Muras wraps up the site’s top prospect countdown.
THIS DAY IN METS HISTORY
On this day in 1984, Walt Terrell tops the Astros by a score of 8-1, for the 1,500th regular season win in franchise history.
Mets players born on this day include; Andy Phillips (40) and Wayne Graham.
