A day after signing a new, five-year contract extension, Jon Niese will take the mound for the New York Mets who will be searching for a opening-series, three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves (1:10 p.m. on SNY). The Mets are trying for their first 3-0 start since beginning the 2007 season with four straight victories.
Niese, who officially inked a 5-year, $25 million deal on Saturday, will be looking to continue were he left off in last season, which feature him going 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA. The lefty will also need to follow solid performance from Opening Day starter Johan Santana (six-scoreless innings) and R.A. Dickey (six innings and two runs), as they both helped the Mets improve to 2-0.
Meanwhile, third basemen David Wright is off to a solid start to the season, as he's 5-for-8 at the plate with a home run and two RBI.
For the Braves, they will counter Niese with left-handed pitcher Mike Minor, who started 10 games for Atlanta last season. Minor finished the season with a 3.51 ERA.
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