New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is beyond “jacked” to take the ball from Mickey Callaway on Opening Day 2018 at Citi Field.
New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard is ready to throw lightning bolts on Opening Day.
Thor, as his friends and well-wishers call him, told the Associated Press that he’s excited to make the opening day start on March 29 when the Mets take on the Cardinals to open the 2018 MLB season at Citi Field.
“I’m super jacked for it. It’s just a great feeling, second year, starting, Opening Day and coming out of the gates hot.”
While Syndergaard is hyped and ready to throw 101 m.p.h. bolts in April, the 25-year-old is cognizant of treating it as if it was another game.
Thor currently sports a 1.38 ERA in four spring outings and has struck out 18 in 13 innings.
“I feel like we kind of put it on this pedestal. It kind of benefits me to just go out there and pretend it’s another game.”
Mets manager Mickey Callaway named him the Opening Day starter ahead of Jacob deGrom who was on track to take the ball before his spring endured delays. deGrom suffered from shoulder stiffness and missed some time for the birth of his second child.
Syndergaard shut down the Atlanta Braves for six innings on last season, as the Mets beat the Braves 6-0 to further their all-time best .636 winning percentage on opening days, by far the best of all time. He did not factor in the decision as the Mets scored late to earn the win.
The Mets are 35-21 during season openers. Their starters hold a mark of 27-13 with 16 no-decisions.
Syndergaard joins a vaunted list of Mets starters to start multiple Opening Days. Hall-of-Famer Tom Seaver holds the franchise record with 11 opening day starts, followed by franchise icon Doc Gooden with eight. Hall-of-Famer Tom Glavine made four for the Mets as did Johan Santana, the last Met to take the ball on consecutive opening days before Syndergaard.
