NY Mets most important dates for the second half of 2023
The Mets' first half of their 2023 schedule was a gauntlet for a few reasons.
They played 39 games at home at Citi Field, compared to 52 games on the road. They had to travel to the West Coast for a 10-game road trip early in April and a seven-game trip right before the break. All of the Mets' road matchups with the National League West are now out of the way.
The result, despite a modest 20-19 record at home, led the Mets to finish 42-48 at the All-Star break. In the second half, the Mets' travel eases. They will play just two series west of the Mississippi River down the stretch, and just barely farther — both in Missouri against the Royals and Cardinals.
As the Mets look to dig out from six games under .500 and seven games back in the NL Wild Card race, the schedule might have just turned in their favor.
With that in mind, here are the five dates to circle on the Mets' calendar for the second half:
July 14 at Citi Field: Dodgers
The Mets have a chance to erase some of their June struggles with a big month of July.
After posting a 7-19 record in June, the Mets have gotten off to a strong start in July by opening with six straight wins before two losses to the Padres.
The first series out of the break could be a big indicator for how the Mets will be able to turn the page on a rocky opening half as they welcome the Dodgers (51-38), who are in their own fight atop the NL West with the Diamondbacks.
The Mets took two out of three from the Dodgers in April, but the two teams' matchups have come with plenty of drama over the last two seasons, including Max Scherzer's ejection and suspension last time out.
Aug. 1 at Kansas City: Royals
The trade deadline will come with additional intrigue for the Mets this season.
At the beginning of the season, it seemed a foregone conclusion that they would be buyers. Now at six games under .500, could the front office be looking to fill the minor league system for the future? Or will they simply hold steady.
The results of the five series before this three-game set will likely chart the course for the Mets.
Also, with the Royals saddled with the second-worst record in MLB, the Mets will need to take care of business in this matchup to help their long-term goals this season.
Aug. 12 at Citi Field: Braves
The Mets are 18.5 games back of the NL East-leading Braves at the All-Star Break, so New York's division titles hopes have nearly washed away. But this series will be important for the confidence of the Mets before the sprint to the finish.
Their confidence was dashed by the Braves during a trip to Truist Park in early June as the Mets let three three-run leads evaporate in a three-game sweep. The Mets are 1-5 against their rivals this season.
This series will be a huge chance to settle the score with a split doubleheader on Aug. 12 - a makeup from a late April rainout - making this a four-game series.
Aug. 25 at Citi Field: Angels
Mets fans have never had a chance to see Shohei Ohtani up close. This will be the two-way Japanese sensation's first trip to Citi Field in his career.
The Mets might be hoping to make a strong impression with Ohtani likely to become a free agent this winter. Steve Cohen is likely one of the few owners with pockets deep enough to court Ohtani, who seems destined to earn a contract with a record $50-60 million annually and worth half a billion dollars.
Maybe fellow countryman Kodai Senga, a recent All-Star in his own right, can help sway Ohtani to come to the East coast.
In his only series against the Mets, which came in June 2022, Ohtani was 4-for-8 with a home run, three RBI and three runs.
Sept. 18 at Miami: Marlins
The Marlins are one of the few big surprises in the National League playoff hunt this season.
According to Tipico Sportsbook, the Marlins entered the season with an over/under of 75.5 wins. They enter the second half with 53 wins and 70 games to go. They are in the top spot in the NL Wild Card picture.
The Mets' hunt for a playoff spot will likely come down to the final two weeks of the season when they face the Marlins six times, including this three-game set on the road, and the Phillies seven times.
The Phillies are a half-game out of the wild card at 48-41.
This series might also be crucial for Marlins infielder Luis Arraez's quest to bat .400 on the season. Arraez entered the break with a .383 average. Ted Williams was the last player to bat .400 - a feat he accomplished in 1941.
