ATLANTA — Baseball’s schedule-makers didn’t do the Mets many favors yesterday with the release of the preliminary 2010 slate.
The Mets were given an 11-day trip to San Francisco, Arizona and the Dodgers without an off day immediately after the All-Star break, as well as a 10-day trip to Atlanta, Chicago and Washington — also without an off day — in late August and early September.
On the plus side, the Mets can savor a pair of seemingly well-timed, 10-game homestands, one in April that could help them get off to a fast start and the other in September, when they hope to be making a playoff push.
The Mets open the season at home for the first time since 2006 when they play host to the Marlins in a three-game series starting April 5 at 1:10 p.m.
The Mets close the regular season with a seven-game homestand culminating in three games with the Nationals.
As well as the Subway Series, which comes to Citi Field from May 21-23 before going Yankee Stadium June 18-20, interleague play will see the Mets play host to Detroit and Minnesota and make trips to Baltimore and Cleveland.
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The Mets were shut out for the second game in a row and lost for the seventh time in eight games last night, dropping a 6-0 decision thanks mostly to impressive Atlanta rookie right-hander Tommy Hanson.
Hanson, a serious Rookie of the Year contender, improved to 10-3 after limiting the Mets to just three hits and three walks while striking out eight in seven strong innings.
The Mets mustered just four hits overall and went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
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John Maine came away physically unscathed from his first post-DL start last weekend and is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at Citi Field against the Nationals.
Maine, who spent three months on the sidelines with various shoulder woes, said he expects to be limited to 75 pitches Sunday.
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Jerry Manuel again refused to rule out sending tonight’s starter, Bobby Parnell, back to the bullpen now that the rookie right-hander has compiled a 2-5 record and 7.91 ERA in his first seven starts.
Parnell might not get a chance to start again until after this season, when he is expected to pitch winter ball in Venezuela.
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All-Star closer Frankie Rodriguez remained in New York yesterday while his fiancée Daian gave birth to twins: Francisco Jr. and Angeline.
K-Rod is expected to rejoin the team in time for tonight’s game, Manuel said.
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Manuel said Gary Sheffield (back) is getting close to being available to pinch hit. Sheffield has not appeared in a game since Aug. 28.