Mets' 2016 opener against Royals moved to night of Sunday, April 3

The Mets' first game of 2016 will now be played at 8:35 PM eastern time on Sunday, April 3, in Kansas City. The game had originally been scheduled for Monday, April 4. In addition, the second game of the season, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 6, has been moved to Tuesday, April 5.

After playing each other in the World Series in 2015, the Mets and Royals are set for an awkwardly-scheduled rematch to begin next season. With the standard off-day after Opening Day, the Mets will also have two off-days after the second game of the year before they return home for a three-game series against the Phillies. The home opener is scheduled for 1:10 PM on Friday, April 8.

That bizarre schedule will allow the Mets to basically do whatever they want with the starting rotation over the first five games of the season. There's enough rest between Opening Day and the home opener that the same pitcher could start both games on regular rest. The team does play six games in a row upon its return home, though, which would still leave the Opening Day starter in line to make three starts in the team's first nine games if they so desire.