Mets Schedule: 3 teams we should be excited to see return to Citi Field

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 05: Fans attempt to catch a home run ball during a game between the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on August 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

New York Mets fans always love seeing their own players, but there are other teams that bring their own stars that make the games even MORE fun to watch.

The 2021 New York Mets season is closer than you think and the faithful followers of the blue and orange are already looking forward to seeing their favorites like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and the newly-added James McCann take the field. It’s not all about the hometown team, though. Their opponents bring people with them that can keep Mets fans in the seats when they are up at the plate or pitching.

There’s just something that makes the game so much better if you know that there’s a great player that is worth watching. People flocked to Shea Stadium early to see Mark McGwire take batting practice when he was with the Cardinals – before that whole steroid issue really blew up. Albert Pujols became a must-watch after that. Fans knew that Ken Griffey Jr. was an amazing player. The same could be said of those who watched Tony Gwynn.

This does not make you disloyal in any way to watching your hometown Mets, in my opinion. It makes you a pure baseball fan. I remember once being wowed by an amazing catch that Jim Edmonds made in center field at Shea, diving and catching a ball with his back entirely to the plate. Of course, I still wanted the Metsies to win, but that just made me appreciate the game even more. I still vividly remember it.

Carry that joy of watching those players perform at Citi Field. These are known as the teams that can make “I’ll go to the bathroom/eat after this inning” last nearly a whole game if it’s close.

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 29: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the Wild Card Round Game One against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 29, 2020 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays Will Bring Bats AND Pitching Vs. Mets

The big video board outside Citi should be blaring, “The Kids are in Town!” when the Blue Jays come to play the Mets in late July. That’s because they have three sons of former Major Leaguers in Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr..That trio can ensure that fans stick around to watch their at-bats, whether it’s at the park or in the comfort of their homes, because they can do something exciting nearly every time. I’m sure going to watch. Bichette is also no slouch with the glove, often making highlight-worthy catches or throws.

Randal Grichuk and Lourdes Gurriel Jr are no slouches with the bat either, and who can’t love someone with the name of Rowdy (Rowdy Tellez)? This whole Blue Jays lineup can be quite potent and keep the Mets on their toes.

There’s also an exciting ace in lefty Hyun Jin Ryu. Robbie Ray had a rough 2020season, but he’s won at least 12 games in the not-so-distant past, so he’s also one to watch for when it comes to good pitching matchups. There may be a free-agent signing in the next few months that might make this an even more formidable starting rotation to go along with the hitting. Also, it’s not certain if they will do something to replace closer Ken Giles, who will miss the season with Tommy John surgery or if they will keep trotting Anthony Bass out there.

While this part depends on how the pitching rotation shakes out, it would be interesting to see Marcus Stroman take the hill against his former squad. Of course, watching Jacob deGrom take on that Toronto batting order can be immensely entertaining, too.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 07: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres prepares for his first at bat during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on October 07, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Young and the Exciting San Diego Padres

The 2021 calendar will not have flipped just yet to summer when the Mets host them, but the “Slam Diego” Padres will be trying to cool down the New York heat with their mighty bats. It should be fun to see players like Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Eric Hosmer, and Wil Myers take mighty rips in the batter’s box to see how far they can aim to hit the balls into the Citi Field bleachers.

The best part of this is that it is a young team, with Hosmer being the “greybeard” of the group at the ripe old age of 31. Tatis is always going to try to put on a show since he probably STILL feels like he should have won the ‘19 National League Rookie of the Year instead of Alonso. Machado is just entering his baseball prime, which should be quite scary for the rest of the league.

When it comes to the pitching side, they don’t have quite the sexy matchups as other teams. One person to watch, though, is Dinelson Lamet, who made a lot of bats miss over the course of the ‘20 season. “El Flaco” is looking to build on a year that saw him strike out 93 hitters in almost 70 innings. Imagine him matched up against a healthy Thor or Jacob deGrom. Chris Paddack is solid at No. 2.

When the Padres come to town, they are going to be looking to show that their success last year was not an aberration. Their hitters are going to be the main attraction, though. This could be a series that sees Mets pitchers get a LOT of strikeouts or one that might resemble a Jets-(formerly San Diego) Chargers game score.

Oct 25, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) celebrates their win over the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. The Los Angeles Dodgers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers Have Legendary Bats and Pitching to Match Mets

What’s not to love about the Mets hosting the World Champions in August? Well, aside from the reminder that the Dodgers got their first title since 1988… when they got past the… ahem… home team (I’m STILL mad that Davey Johnson left Dwight Gooden in the ninth inning of Game Three). Still, it’s something that I’m excited to see.

The bats? Well, let’s start off with Cody Bellinger. That dude can rake. Oh yeah. That Mookie Betts guy is good… and who can resist a “Mookie” chant? Max Muncy is going to be looking to rebound from a rough 2020 season, so be on the lookout for his at-bats. Corey Seager’s going to be exciting to watch as he looks to build on that monster postseason he had, what with his eight long balls.

As far as the pitching goes… You know how there are certain pitchers and players where you know that you’re lucky to see an all-time great during your lifetime? Greg Maddux was one. Nolan Ryan was another. Clayton Kershaw is definitely on that list. Remember, time goes forward, not backward, so take every chance you can to see this master pitch. Walker Buehler is another one. David Price and Julio Urias are excellent, as well, so enjoy those pitching matchups.

Perhaps fans of the 2021 Dodgers might be writing the Mets down as an exciting team to come to their stadium, too. Let’s see how the rest of this offseason shakes out.

Mets closer depth chart for 2021. Next

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