While the start of the 2022 Major League Baseball season was pushed back due to the lockout, 2023 will see a return in the end of March.
But one thing will be markedly different that came with those negotiations: a balanced schedule.
That means for the first time in franchise history, the Mets will play every team in the American League as every team's divisional schedule has been reduced.
There will be plenty of opportunities for fans to check ballparks off their list, while still seeing their favorite team play.
Here are some other notable dates from the Mets' 2023 schedule which was released on Wednesday:
Mets' Opening Day and Home Opener
The Mets won't have to travel very far from Port St. Lucie for Opening Day as they venture down the south to Miami for their series opener against the Marlins on March 30 at loanDePot Park.
Fans will have to wait a week before the Mets return to Citi Field, with the team traveling north to face the Brewers for three games on April 3-5.
Opening Day at Citi Field will come on April 6 against the Marlins. After playing the Marlins seven times in the first 10 games, the Mets will not face their southernmost division foe again until September.
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The Subway Series
Each time the Mets and Yankees square off every season the energy is ratcheted up a little bit. But that reached new heights this season with the two teams facing off while atop their respective divisions.
They ended up splitting the season series 2-2 with the home side winning each of the four contests.
Next season, the games between the Mets and Yankees will come a little earlier. The two will begin their season series at Citi Field on June 13-14 before they finish up two weeks after the All-Star Game on July 25-26 at Yankee Stadium.
Bring on Boston
There will always be a little bit of nostalgia associated with the matchup between the Mets and Red Sox. After all, one of the Mets' defining moments came against Boston in 1986.
Now, with the new schedule, the two sides will tangle for a series once a year.
Next season, Mets fans will have the opportunity to invade Fenway Park during the weekend of July 21-23, leading into the latter Subway Series.
The two teams last squared off across two two-game series in 2021, with the Red Sox sweeping all four games.
The Mets are 14-21 against the Red Sox, with their first matchup coming in the 1986 World Series.
Mets vs. The West
The arms race for National League supremecy between the Mets and Dodgers is in full swing.
They currently have the top two records in the National League and top two payrolls in the game.
Both those factors add to the level of intrigue for their matchups before the 2022 playoffs have begun.
The teams' first matchup will come as part of the Mets' 10-game road trip in mid-April. They will face off in a three-game series April 17-19.
The Mets will also welcome the Dodgers right after the All-Star break for three games between July 14-16.
The finish
One of the most highly-anticipated series this season is the penultimate one between the Mets and Braves, which could decide the NL East title.
If the Mets' division title hopes go down to the wire next season, they will be facing the Phillies in the final games of the season between Sept. 29 and Oct. 1.
The Mets' final series against the Braves comes Aug. 21-23 in Atlanta.
Steve Cohen’s ownership has Mets fans excited not just for what they’re doing this season, but for years to come. So nobody will be blamed for peeking ahead to the Mets’ 2023 schedule.
The entire 2023 MLB schedule was released on Wednesday, and with it a reminder that for the first time, every team will play every other team in at least one series, resulting in fewer games against division foes. Here’s a look at the Mets’ full 2023 schedule.
Mets 2023 schedule
March 30-April 2 at Marlins
April 3-5 at Brewers
April 6-9 vs. Marlins [three games]
April 10-12 vs. Padres
April 14-16 at Athletics
April 17-19 at Dodgers
April 20-23 at Giants
April 25-27 vs. Nationals
April 28-May 1 vs. Braves
May 2-4 at Tigers
May 5-7 vs. Rockies
May 9-11 at Reds
May 12-15 at Nationals
May 16-18 vs. Rays
May 19-21 vs. Guardians
May 23-25 at Cubs
May 26-28 at Rockies
May 30-June 1 vs. Phillies
June 2-4 vs. Blue Jays
June 6-8 at Braves
June 9-11 at Pirates
June 13-14 vs. Yankees
June 16-18 vs. Cardinals
June 19-21 at Astros
June 23-25 at Phillies
June 26-29 vs. Brewers
June 30-July 2 vs. Giants
July 4-6 at Diamondbacks
July 7-9 at Padres
July 14-16 vs. Dodgers
July 18-20 vs. White Sox
July 21-23 at Red Sox
July 25-26 at Yankees
July 27-30 vs. Nationals
Aug. 1-3 at Royals
Aug. 4-6 at Orioles
Aug. 7-9 vs. Cubs
Aug. 11-13 vs. Braves
Aug. 14-16 vs. Pirates
Aug. 17-20 at Cardinals
Aug. 21-23 at Braves
Aug. 25-27 vs. Angels
Aug. 28-30 vs. Rangers
Sept. 1-3 vs. Mariners
Sept. 5-6 at Nationals
Sept. 8-10 at Twins
Sept. 11-14 vs. Diamondbacks
Sept. 15-17 vs. Reds
Sept. 18-20 at Marlins
Sept. 21-24 at Phillies
Sept. 26-28 vs. Marlins
Sept. 29-Oct. 1 vs. Phillies