MLB Releases Florida Marlins 2009 Schedule

[JJ]

After making great strides in 2008, the Marlins once again are expected to field a talented and youthful squad in 2009.

At a time the Marlins are pushing toward finishing with the fifth winning record in club history, it's not too early to look ahead to next year. On Wednesday, Major League Baseball released the '09 schedule, and once again, Florida will be opening at home.

Opening Day for the Marlins will be on April 6, 2009, against the Nationals at Dolphin Stadium. It will be the second straight season Florida gets the season rolling at home. This year, they faced the Mets, and lost, 7-2.

In 2009, the franchise will be entering its 17th season. Overall, the club is 8-8 on Opening Day. The last time the Marlins faced the Nationals in the opener was in 2007, at RFK Stadium. Florida claimed a 9-2 win.

After a three-game set with the Nationals, the Marlins will play host to the Mets from April 9-11.

The 2009 Marlins will feature All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez and a strong pitching staff that will include Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Chris Volstad.

The Cubs will make their lone appearance in South Florida from July 31-Aug. 2.

Florida will have an attractive Interleague Play home schedule, which starts off with the Citrus Series against Tampa Bay. The Rays, who took five of six from the Marlins this year, will visit Dolphin Stadium from May 22-24.

In June, the schedule gets more enticing with the Yankees visiting South Florida from June 19-21, followed by the Orioles from June 23-25.

The Yankees last played a regular-season game at Dolphin Stadium in 2001. In 2003, of course, the Marlins and Yankees met in the World Series. And prior to this season, New York was in town for two exhibition games before Opening Day.

The Marlins will make road Interleague appearances at Toronto, where they will face the Blue Jays from June 12-14.

For the first time since 2003, the Marlins will travel to Fenway Park to take on the Red Sox. Those dates will be June 16-18.

Interleague play will conclude at Tropicana Field with three games with the Rays (June 26-28).

The Marlins will lead into the All-Star Break with two series out West. From July 6-8, they will take on the Giants. And July 9-12, they will face the Diamondbacks for four games.

A noteworthy road series will be at Wrigley Field, when the Marlins tackle the Cubs for four games (April 30-May 3).

The Marlins' final homestand will start off with the Phillies (Sept. 21-23) and conclude against the Mets (Sept. 25-27).

Wrapping up the season with be a six-game road trip beginning at Atlanta (Sept. 28-30), and the year concludes at Philadelphia (Oct. 2-4).

Florida's '09 slate includes top AL teams | floridamarlins.com: News

2009 Marlins Schedule | floridamarlins.com: Schedule

[Daft]

First time we've had the Yankees (non-playoff game) since like 2000 or 2001 right?


edit: I'm stupid, it's in the article

[Matt Wilson]

I might have to run up to Fenway for the BoSox series. Never been there.

[JJ]

Marlins last played the Yankees in 2006.

2001 was the last time they played in Miami.