March 24, 2015
A healthy Matt Harvey hasn’t touched the mound at Citi Field since 2013, and he’ll have to wait a little longer to do so this season.
The Mets have once again made it painfully obvious that monetizing their players is more important than incentivizing their fans and will give Bartolo Colon the Opening Day start against the Nationals in D.C. on April 6. Such a move will make Jacob deGrom take the hill on Opening Day at Citi one week later, with Harvey pitching the next day and providing the attendance cushion the Mets so desperately need.
It’s a business decision that has come under massive scrutiny, especially from fans hoping to catch their first glimpse of Harvey on Opening Day. By giving Colon the start in the nation’s capital, Harvey would start in Queens on April 14, making it his first since going down with a partially torn UCL two seasons ago. Along with Opening Day, the soon-to-be 26-year-old’s first start is a guaranteed sell-out, prompting the Mets to opt for a two-day packed house over an overstocked Opening Day.
The secondary ticket market has yet to see the recoil just yet, however. Opening Day Mets tickets on April 13 currently average at $237.62 and the get-in price starts at $55. With Harvey slated to pitch the following night, the average price for April 14 Mets tickets on TicketIQ is $82.46. That marks a price drop of 65.3% between games. The cheapest seat available for the April 14 game is listed for just $13.
Mets manager Terry Collins has hinted that the decision to start Colon in D.C. and have deGrom pitch the home opener is based upon the organization’s monetary drive, claiming that ticket sales “could be” a determining factor. However, he admits that Harvey’s absence last season while starters like Colon and deGrom thrived hasn’t given him the right to start either noteworthy games.
While Opening Day tickets at Citi Field are nearing the $250 average on the secondary market, those wanting to attend Harvey’s first game back the following day will find exceptional deals. It’s a tradeoff the Mets are hoping keeps fans in the seats and cash flowing at their concession stands. And as angry as they are, those fans will still be there to support the Dark Knight’s return to Flushing.
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