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Game Info: 1:10 pm EDT Mon Apr 3, 2006
TV: ESPN, SNY Add to Calendar
Starting Pitchers:


Hernandez
0-0, -.--
VS


Glavine
0-0, -.--
By CHRIS ANTONACCI, STATS Writer
Highlighted by a new power-hitting first baseman, new catcher and one of the league's premier closers, the retooled New York Mets begin pursuit of their first division title since 1988 when they welcome the Washington Nationals to Shea Stadium on Monday.
Left-hander Tom Glavine will make his seventh Opening Day start and third in his four-season stint in New York. Glavine, who is 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA as an Opening Day starter, made his Mets' debut the last time they opened at Shea Stadium, in 2003.
In that contest, Glavine allowed five earned runs, eight hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings in the Mets' 15-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Glavine won his Opening Day start on the road last year against his former team, the Atlanta Braves.
"It's an honor, and it's fun to be the guy who goes out there and starts Opening Day," said Glavine, who went 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA against Washington last season. "But I think sometimes there's too much made of it."
Glavine gets the start because the Mets' Opening Day starter from last season, Pedro Martinez, will delay his season debut because of a sore toe.
Glavine, who turned 40 on March 25, went 5-4 with a 1.79 ERA in his final 10 appearances, winning his last three starts.
The Mets finished in fourth place at 83-79, ending a three-season run when they finished below .500.
Catcher Paul Lo Duca is among the Mets' new acquisitions after they let longtime catcher Mike Piazza sign with the San Diego Padres in free agency. Lo Duca was acquired in a trade with the Marlins.
First baseman Carlos Delgado will bat in the heart of the order after coming over in a separate trade from the salary-dumping Marlins after the Mets failed to acquire him in free agency before the start of last season.
Second baseman Anderson Hernandez, who had one hit in 18 at-bats last season, starts while Kaz Matsui is on the disabled list because of a sprained knee ligament. Shortstop Jose Reyes and third baseman David Wright are young fixtures on the left side of the Mets' infield after breakout seasons last year.
Xavier Nady, acquired in the Mike Cameron trade with the San Diego Padres, could be the first to start in right field in a platoon with Victor Diaz.
"We have all the right tools, all the right pieces," Wright said. "Now, the biggest goal is to get that chemistry, that cohesiveness, that we are playing for one another."
The Mets also have made significant changes in the bullpen, adding closer Billy Wagner, Duaner Sanchez, Jorge Julio and Chad Bradford to solidify a relief staff that collapsed down the stretch and in last year's opener.
Former closer Braden Looper allowed three runs on two homers in the ninth inning in a 7-6 loss in Cincinnati that spoiled Martinez's debut last season. It was the first of five straight opening losses under then-first-year manager Willie Randolph.
In their first season after relocating from Montreal, the Nationals were a pleasant surprise, holding on to first place in National League East until July 26th before steadily slipping down the standings for their second straight last-place finish despite an 81-81 record.
The Nationals have records of at least .500 in three of manager Frank Robinson's four seasons.
Alfonso Soriano will play left field for the first time in his six-season career while making his debut with the Nationals. Soriano agreed to move from second base after sitting out a March 20 spring training game, accommodating Jose Vidro.
"It's a relief for everybody, it really is," Robinson said. "We get the distractions away from here and we can focus on baseball now."
Soriano had 36 homers and 30 stolen bases in 156 games with Texas last season. He has had at least 30 homers and 30 steals in four of his last five seasons. He has struggled in the field, though, averaging 21 errors over his last five seasons.
Livan Hernandez will make a third straight Opening Day start for the Nationals with his surgically repaired knee close to 100 percent. He is 3-1 with a 5.17 ERA in his five previous Opening Day starts with three different teams.
Hernandez allowed seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in last year's opening loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Game Info: 1:10 pm EDT Mon Apr 3, 2006
TV: ESPN, SNY Add to Calendar
Starting Pitchers:


Hernandez
0-0, -.--
VS


Glavine
0-0, -.--
By CHRIS ANTONACCI, STATS Writer
Highlighted by a new power-hitting first baseman, new catcher and one of the league's premier closers, the retooled New York Mets begin pursuit of their first division title since 1988 when they welcome the Washington Nationals to Shea Stadium on Monday.
Left-hander Tom Glavine will make his seventh Opening Day start and third in his four-season stint in New York. Glavine, who is 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA as an Opening Day starter, made his Mets' debut the last time they opened at Shea Stadium, in 2003.
In that contest, Glavine allowed five earned runs, eight hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings in the Mets' 15-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Glavine won his Opening Day start on the road last year against his former team, the Atlanta Braves.
"It's an honor, and it's fun to be the guy who goes out there and starts Opening Day," said Glavine, who went 3-1 with a 2.93 ERA against Washington last season. "But I think sometimes there's too much made of it."
Glavine gets the start because the Mets' Opening Day starter from last season, Pedro Martinez, will delay his season debut because of a sore toe.
Glavine, who turned 40 on March 25, went 5-4 with a 1.79 ERA in his final 10 appearances, winning his last three starts.
The Mets finished in fourth place at 83-79, ending a three-season run when they finished below .500.
Catcher Paul Lo Duca is among the Mets' new acquisitions after they let longtime catcher Mike Piazza sign with the San Diego Padres in free agency. Lo Duca was acquired in a trade with the Marlins.
First baseman Carlos Delgado will bat in the heart of the order after coming over in a separate trade from the salary-dumping Marlins after the Mets failed to acquire him in free agency before the start of last season.
Second baseman Anderson Hernandez, who had one hit in 18 at-bats last season, starts while Kaz Matsui is on the disabled list because of a sprained knee ligament. Shortstop Jose Reyes and third baseman David Wright are young fixtures on the left side of the Mets' infield after breakout seasons last year.
Xavier Nady, acquired in the Mike Cameron trade with the San Diego Padres, could be the first to start in right field in a platoon with Victor Diaz.
"We have all the right tools, all the right pieces," Wright said. "Now, the biggest goal is to get that chemistry, that cohesiveness, that we are playing for one another."
The Mets also have made significant changes in the bullpen, adding closer Billy Wagner, Duaner Sanchez, Jorge Julio and Chad Bradford to solidify a relief staff that collapsed down the stretch and in last year's opener.
Former closer Braden Looper allowed three runs on two homers in the ninth inning in a 7-6 loss in Cincinnati that spoiled Martinez's debut last season. It was the first of five straight opening losses under then-first-year manager Willie Randolph.
In their first season after relocating from Montreal, the Nationals were a pleasant surprise, holding on to first place in National League East until July 26th before steadily slipping down the standings for their second straight last-place finish despite an 81-81 record.
The Nationals have records of at least .500 in three of manager Frank Robinson's four seasons.
Alfonso Soriano will play left field for the first time in his six-season career while making his debut with the Nationals. Soriano agreed to move from second base after sitting out a March 20 spring training game, accommodating Jose Vidro.
"It's a relief for everybody, it really is," Robinson said. "We get the distractions away from here and we can focus on baseball now."
Soriano had 36 homers and 30 stolen bases in 156 games with Texas last season. He has had at least 30 homers and 30 steals in four of his last five seasons. He has struggled in the field, though, averaging 21 errors over his last five seasons.
Livan Hernandez will make a third straight Opening Day start for the Nationals with his surgically repaired knee close to 100 percent. He is 3-1 with a 5.17 ERA in his five previous Opening Day starts with three different teams.
Hernandez allowed seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in last year's opening loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.
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