- HOME OPENERS: The Mets are 34-20 (.630) in Home Openers, including 4-3 at Citi Field.
- WRIGHT IN HOME OPENERS: David Wright has at least one hit in every home opener since making his first Opening Day roster in 2005…Wright is hitting .386 (17-44) in 11 home openers.
- WRIGHT ON THE BASES: Wright swiped two bases Tuesday in Kansas City…He had two stolen bases in 38 games last year…His last game with two stolen bases was June 25, 2013 at Chicago-AL.
- deGROM deOPENER: For the second straight season Jacob deGrom will start the Home Opener vs. the Phillies…Last year, deGrom fired 6.1 scoreless innings and picked up the win in a 2-0 victory over Philadelphia in the Home Opener on April 13.
- deGROMINATE: Jacob deGrom was named to the NL All-Star team in 2015…He became the 11th pitcher in team history to record 200 strikeouts in a season…DeGrom finished fourth in the NL with a 2.54 ERA, tied for eighth in strikeouts (205), tied for seventh in wins (14) and fifth in opponents’ batting average against (.215).
- VS. PHILADELPHIA: The Mets went 14-5 vs. the Phillies (8-1 at home) last year…The 14 wins were the most in team history in a single-season vs. the Phillies…New York had a franchise high-tying 10-game winning streak vs. the Phillies from May 9-August 31, 2015…The Mets are 27-11 vs. Philadelphia over the last two years…Last year was the fourth time New York won 14 or more games vs. one team in a single season…The 1991 Mets were 14-4 vs. Montreal, the 1985 team went 14-4 vs. the Cubs and the 1986 club was 17-1 vs. Pittsburgh…The Mets have won eight on their last nine series vs. the Phillies.
- NL EAST: The Mets went 47-29 vs. the NL East last season, including 25-13 at home…New York’s .618 winning percentage was the best for any team within its own division this year.
- THE BULLPEN: Pitched 5.1 scoreless innings during the two- game series in Kansas City…The pen allowed just one hit and struck out five.
- JIM HENDERSON: Worked 1.0 scoreless inning on April 5 at Kansas City earning a hold…It was his first major league outing since May 1, 2014 with Milwaukee…He became the eighth Canadian-born player to appear in a game for the Mets.
- WALK THIS WAY: The Mets have drawn 11 walks in their first two games of the year…Last year New York finished seventh in the NL with 488 free passes.
- SYNDERGAARD SIZZLES: Six of Noah Syndergaard’s nine strikeouts came with runners in scoring position on Tuesday…. According to Elias, that was the most RISP strikeouts against Kansas City for any pitcher since the Twins’ Scott Baker had seven in a game on September 29, 2010.
- FIRST TIME SINCE: The Mets will play the Phillies in their Home Opener for the second straight year…The last time the club played the same team in consecutive Home Openers was also vs. Philadelphia (2007-2008).
- NEIL WALKER: Hit his first home run with the Mets on Tuesday, a two-run shot…Walker has 70 home runs since 2012, the most among NL second basemen.
- HOME OPENER DETAILS: Prior to today’s game, the Mets will raise the National League Pennant banner…Former NL Champions Rusty Staub (1973), John Franco (2000) and Edgardo Alfonzo (2000) will hoist the flag…Every fan will also receive a 2016 magnetic schedule present by Hyundai.
- FIRST PITCH: Members of the NYPD and FDNY, who were personnally injuried in the line of duty in 2015, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch…Four-year-old Ryan Lemm, the son of 15-year NYPD veteran Joseph Lemm, who was killed in Afghanistan last December, will present the ceremonial first pitch baseball.
- NATIONAL ANTHEM & FLYOVER: Members of the cast of the Grammy-Award winning Broadway smash hit Hamilton will perform the National Anthem during the Home Opener… Chris Jackson, who plays George Washington and Anthony Ramos, who plays Phillip Hamilton will sing the Anthem which will be followed by a special NYPD helicopter flyover.
- GOD BLESS AMERICA: NYPD Officer Makiah Brown will perform God Bless America.
- SATURDAY FIREWORKS: A firework extravaganza presented by Coca-Cola will follow the Mets-Phillies 7:10 p.m. game on Saturday, April 9.
- SUNDAY: The Mets will wear replica ‘86 jerseys in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the 1986 Championship team for their 1:10 p.m. game vs. the Phillies…Every fan will receive a “Let’s Go
- Mets” Rally Towel…Before every Sunday home game beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the Mets Plaza, there is a full fan fest with Mets featured family-friendly activities including kids inflatables, sign-making station, face painters, balloon artists and entertainment…Postgame, kids 12 and under can come down onto the field and run the bases, weather permitting during the Mr. Met Dash.
- TAKE MASS TRANSIT: In anticipation of big crowds and enhanced security procedures, the Mets encourage fans to take mass transit and arrive early for their opening weekend.
By: Michael Ganci
Pre-Game Notes: Mets vs. Phillies (Home Opener)
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