Good Morning Mets Fans. Believe it or not we will be seeing Zack Wheeler make his first professional start tonight since September 25, 2014 as the Metropolitans (2-1) open up a three-game set against the Miami Marlins (1-2). Wheeler will be opposed by Wei-Yin Chen as his long road back to the majors has finally come to fruition.
Tonight’s game is slated to begin at 7:10 PM ET and can be seen on SNY as well as heard on 710 WOR.
LATEST METS NEWS
Yesterday, Matt Harvey showed flashes of his former self as he put forth a very encouraging start as the Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves by a score of 6-2. Harvey tossed 6.2 innings while allowing two runs, both solo shots off the bat of Matt Kemp. He gave up three hits on the day while striking out four and walking none. Harvey is now 15-12 with a 2.53 ERA in 43 career starts at Citi Field. Since 2012, Harvey’s 2.53 home ERA is sixth-best in the majors with a minimum of 270 home innings pitched. It was a great first step back to hopeful dominance for the pitcher known as “The Dark Knight.” Read more from Fred Kerber in the NY Post.
Wilmer Flores had himself a nice night while filling in at first base for the Metropolitans on Thursday. He cracked a two-run homer in the sixth inning off Jaime García for his first home run of the season. Since the start of 2016, Flores now has 12 home runs off lefthanded pitching, tied for fourth-most in the majors in that time with Chris Carter and Franklin Gutierrez and trails Nelson Cruz (19), Kris Bryant (14) and George Springer (13). Rear more on Flores from Seth Walder in the NYDN.
Tim Tebow made his debut with the Columbia Fireflies on Thursday and provided some sparks right off the bat. In his very first plate appearance, Tebow smacked a two-run homer. He would end the night going 1-for-5 with three strikeouts. Read more from David Newton on ESPN.
NL EAST RUMBLINGS
The Atlanta Braves signed long-time Philadelphia Phillies first baseman, Ryan Howard to a minor league contract on Thursday. Read more from David O’Brien on theAJC.com.
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com looks at how historically bad the Philadelphia Phillies offense was at home in 2016 as they open up Citizens Bank Park today for the 2017 season.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post looks at how Matt Wieters is facing the unique challenge of batting eighth as a National.
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald writes on how pitcher, Tom Koehler has been a model of durability for the Marlins.
RECENTLY ON MMO
John Flanigan analyzes Jay Bruce‘s hot start to the 2017 season.
Over at MetsMinors.net, Mets Daddy advises that the Las Vegas 51s will be a versatile team.
THIS DAY IN METS HISTORY
On this day in 1984, a pitcher by the name of Dwight Gooden made his major league debut at the young age of 19 against Houston. Doc would pitch five innings while piling up five strikeouts, helping to lead his team to a 3-2 victory.
Mets players born on this day include, Vinny Rottino (37) and Joe Hicks (84).
