Kristie Ackert of the Daily News is reporting that after Matt Harvey starts on Opening Night against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, right-hander Noah Syndergaard will pitch Game 2 on April 5.
However, Mets manager Terry Collins said on Monday that Syndergaard’s appearance during the game “could come in relief” as the team considers “piggy-backing” starting pitchers in the second game against the Royals. (ESPN New York)
The Mets have three days off during the first week of the season and Collins hopes that by piggy-backing starters he can keep everyone sharp.
This is quite the surprise as many were targeting Syndergaard to pitch the home opener at Citi Field.
But with Jacob deGrom‘s wife expected to deliver the couple’s first child on that day., manager Terry Collins made the decision to go with Thor and letting the Royals’ face the team’s dynamic duo.
“I am impressed with the way he is throwing the ball,” Collins said. “He’s getting himself in great shape and this was a really, really good outing for him. I am impressed with his endurance, his stuff, the command of his stuff, everything.”
Syndergaard last pitched Game 3 of the World Series, the only game the Mets would win in the Fall Classic. He famously whizzed a fastball past the head of Alcides Escobar, sending him sprawling to the ground and infuriating the rest of his Royals teammates.
“If they had a problem with it they can meet me 60 feet 6 inches away,” Syndergaard fired back.
Updated 3/21
