Santana is your Opening Day starter
OK, no big surprise there. Even though manager Willie Randolph has yet to announce it, you can do the math and see that it adds up to be Johan Santana, barring any injuries that would disrupt his schedule. When Santana was introduced at Shea earlier this month, I suggested there might be an outside shot Pedro Martinez could get the call for March 31 in Miami, with Santana slotted for the home opener against the Phillies on April 8.
But yesterday Santana pretty much mapped out his schedule for the next week, which sets him up to start Feb. 29 against the Cardinals and then every fifth day after that. If you're looking to see Santana this spring, here's a tentative schedule of his starts:
Feb. 29 vs. Cardinals at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 5 vs. Dodgers at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 10 vs. Red Sox at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 15 vs. Cardinals at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 20 vs. Orioles at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 25 vs. Braves at Tradition Field (SNY)
March 31 vs Marlins at Dolphin Stadium (SNY)
See a trend here? Santana could make it through spring training without pitching one road game. Not bad. And you can expect to see plenty of Santana on SNY -- all of his starts, in fact.
Remember, this is a tentative schedule, and there is always the possibility he could be pushed back because of injury. The Mets could also add a day along the way rather than have an extended break before the season opener.
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Comments (9)
David, a lot of fans are wondering if it's worth the extra money to go to the season opener at Shea if it's not even clear who will be pitching on April 8. The Mets have 6 away games over 8 days before coming to NYC, so isn't it fairly unlikely that Santana will end up throwing both the home and away openers of the season?
Lucas ... Santana won't pitch the home opener. His second start is likely to be April 5 against the Braves at Turner Field -- which just so happens to be a FOX game. Lucky for them. As for the Shea opener, it looks like the No. 3 starter -- John Maine or Oliver Perez -- will get that start with an extra day's rest. I don't know how else they could do it.
This isnt really a big deal all 5 pitchers will pitch at shea this year this is opening day not the playoffs
David, it would actually be the number 2 starter Opening Day at Shea...1, 2, 3, against Marlins, 4, 5, 1 against Braves, and 2, 3, 4 against Phillies...Personally, I think Pedro should pitch the real opener, and Johan should get Shea's opener...that way, 1.) the fans will see the new ace and 2.) we would throw our two lefties at them (Santana, Maine, Perez)
Also, Matt, it is a big deal, Opening Day is an event, not just a regular game, prices are so much higher, etc...it is an event, so it matters to the fans who pitches, and it's the last Opening Day at Shea, which makes it that more exciting
Joe .. Looks like the Mets will skip the No. 5 starter for that first weekend series in Atlanta and use Santana and Pedro back-to-back.
Ohh i see what you mean...but then isn't that a problem throwing pitchers' 3-5 against Philly? I mean, it's still Maine, Perez, and El Duque, which is still good, but letting our top two pitchers sit out against our closest competitors on opening weekend? I'm not really a fan of something like that...I would like them to pitch one of the top 2 to make some kind of statement early
so when does johan make is first start at shea game 2 vs phils?
Well I hope that schedule you posted stays true because I have tickets to the 3/5 game vs. the Dodgers. Psyched! Also going to 3/3 which I guess would be Maine?
David, how long do you think they'll keep up Fernando Martinez? Is he going to get any kind of significant look? You've got to figure they'll want to show off their crown jewel.