An Opening to Forget

Opening Day started out perfect. The sun was blazing in the sky and the Marlins fans were smiling all across the stadium. Hero, Jeff Conine gave a heartwarming pre game speech as he officially retired from baseball. Everything was perfect, well except for the delayed flyover but let’s make believe that didn’t happen. Then the game got underway.

Mark Hendrickson shined in the first striking out Jose Reyes to start the game. He would keep the shutout going until the fourth inning. Then the wheels came off. The Mets piled on for 6 runs to make it 6-0 before the fish even had a hit. Josh Willingham answered back in the bottom half of the 4th with a 2 run homer but it was too little and too late.

At the end of the game, the final was 7-2 and it felt a lot worse than that to Marlins fans who saw their favorite players flailing at many Santana pitches. This was a bad start to the season but it is only 1 game and the fish will be back out there tomorrow night against the Mets again. The scheduled starters are Pedro Martinez for the Mets and Rick VandenHurk for the Marlins.

Opening Day Preview

The Marlins take on the New York Mets today at 4:10 PM. This is the first game of the season for both squads and will be preceded by the traditional Opening Day festivities as well as a retirement ceremony for Jeff Conine. Here is a preview for today’s game:

Starting Pitchers: Johan Santana vs Mark Hendrickson
Game Time: 4:10 PM
TV: FSN HD Radio: 790 The Ticket
Game Thread: Click Here

Key performance records for NY METS
NY METS are 191-143 in all games over the last 3 seasons. (948-867 since 1997.)
NY METS are 96-70 in road games over the last 3 seasons. (441-465 since 1997.)
NY METS are 14-16 when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons. (84-83 since 1997.)
NY METS are 80-66 against divareion opponents over the last 3 seasons. (359-367 since 1997.)
NY METS are 67-41 in day games over the last 3 seasons. (326-302 since 1997.)
NY METS are 189-142 in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (856-777 since 1997.)
NY METS are 52-45 against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons. (239-228 since 1997.)

Key performance records for FLORIDA
FLORIDA is 149-176 in all games over the last 3 seasons. (872-943 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 78-84 in home games over the last 3 seasons. (480-422 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 15-22 when playing on Monday over the last 3 seasons. (84-104 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 65-82 against divareion opponents over the last 3 seasons. (355-372 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 45-54 in day games over the last 3 seasons. (276-287 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 146-173 in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons. (775-830 since 1997.)
FLORIDA is 41-55 against left-handed starters over the last 3 seasons. (220-233 since 1997.)

For an even more in-depth preview of today’s game, click here.

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