After the postponement of three games against Washington because of COVID-19 concerns within the Nationals’ organization, the Mets will begin their 2021 season Monday night, opening a three-game series against Joe Girardi‘s Philadelphia Phillies.

After Monday night’s game, the two teams will clash again Tuesday night, and wrap the series up with a late afternoon game on Wednesday before heading home for their first game of 2021 at Citi Field against the Miami Marlins on Thursday afternoon. The week’s weather looks good, so Mets baseball will finally return.

Let’s take a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series in Philadelphia.

Monday, April 5, RHP Jacob deGrom vs. LHP Matt Moore 7:05 PM

The Mets and all of the Flushing Faithful are excited for deGrom’s season debut. He helped fuel that excitement in spring training by throwing his fastball in the high 90s, touching 101 and 102 mph. In last year’s shortened campaign, deGrom posted a record of 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA. He struck out 104 hitters in 68 innings pitched, ending the season with a 0.96 WHIP.

DeGrom won consecutive Cy Young awards in 2018 and 2019. In his last full season of 2019, the DeLand, Florida native went 11-8 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 255 hitters in 204 inning pitched, with a 0.97 WHIP. His career WHIP is 1.05, to go with a career ERA of 2.61.

Moore is a nine-year veteran, having spent time with the Rays, Giants, Rangers, and Tigers. Moore did not pitch last season. Over his career, he has a record 0f 54-56 with a 4.51 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.

The game can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WCBS radio 880.

Tuesday, April 6, RHP Marcus Stroman vs. RHP Chase Anderson, 7:05 PM

Stroman will make his first start since 2019, having opted out of the 2020 campaign. The Mets acquired Stroman from the Blue Jays just before the 2019 trade deadline. As a Met two years ago, the right-hander posted a record of 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

The New York native has a career record of 51-47 over six seasons, which includes a 3.76 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Stroman threw the ball well in spring training and has expressed optimism for not only his own 2021 season, but also for his team, which he seems excited to be a part of.

Anderson is a seven-year veteran, having pitched for the Diamondbacks, Brewers, and Blue Jays. Last year with Toronto, he went 1-2 with a 7.22 ERA. In 2019 with Milwaukee, Anderson was 8-4 with a 4.21 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He owns a career record of 54-52 with a 4.06 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.

The game can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WCBS radio 880.

Wednesday, April 7, LHP David Peterson vs. RHP Aaron Nola, 4:05 PM

Peterson is coming off a sold rookie season with the Mets in 2020, when he had a record of 6-2 with a 3.44 ERA. Last year, he tossed 49.2 innings while allowing 36 hits, striking out 40, and walking just 24 batters for a 1.21 WHIP.

Peterson had an up-and-down spring, and at one point his role in the rotation seemed to be in jeopardy. With the injury to Carlos Carrasco, Peterson (and newcomer Joey Lucchesi) secured spots in the rotation. It will be interesting to see how Peterson fares early in the season, as either he or Lucchesi will likely be sent to the bullpen when Carrasco returns.

Nola is the ace of Phillies’ staff. Last season, he went 5-5 with a 3.28 ERA. Over his six-year career, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native has a record of 58-40 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Nola was a 2018 All-Star when he posted a 17-6 record with a 2.37 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. That season, he also was among the leaders in National League Cy Young voting.

The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WCBS radio 880.

Series Notes: Phillies

The Phillies completed a three-game, season-opening series sweep of the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies brought back catcher J.T. Realmuto, who was tied to many teams in off season rumors, including the Mets.

Andrew McCutchen was injured last season, and has returned for the 2021 season.

The Phillies had baseball’s worst bullpen last year, and have turned over almost the entire crop of relievers with the exception of closer, Hector Neris. Among the new faces in the Phillies’ bullpen is Archie Bradley, a seven-year veteran with the Diamondbacks and Reds.

Former Met Zack Wheeler had quite a game on Saturday, tossing seven innings of one-hit, no-run ball while adding two hits and two RBI himself.

Series Notes: Mets

This series will mark the Mets’ debut of shortstop Francisco Lindor, whom the Mets signed to a long-term contract last Wednesday, and catcher James McCann.

The Mets have added to their bullpen with RHP Trevor May and LHP Aaron Loup. Reliever Dellin Betances had a bad spring, and there are concerns about his fastball velocity, which settled in the low 90s in Florida.

Key injuries for the Mets include Carrasco, and reliever Seth Lugo. Dominic Smith also missed time in spring training with a sore wrist.

With no Universal Designated Hitter, the Mets will be playing with a team that is significantly challenged defensively, notably with Smith in left field, Brandon Nimmo in center field, J.D. Davis at third base, and Pete Alonso at first base.

We’ve waited a long time, and Mets baseball is finally here! Let’s get the season started!