Hot Rods outfielder Garrett Whitley (middle)watches infielders warm up Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark.

The Bowling Green Hot Rods open the curtain on the 2017 season at 6:35 p.m. Thursday with Fort Wayne (Ind.) coming in for opening night.

The Hot Rods are looking to build off an 84-win season in 2016 that included the first postseason victory in franchise history. Interim manager and hitting coach Joe Szekely said the team is ready to get the season going and face the challenge of the 140-game schedule – a task that many of the players will be facing for the first time in their respective professional careers.

“We are excited,” Szekely said. “The kids are excited. Opening day is always a special day and we are ready to go.”

Thursday is the start of four games with Fort Wayne, the San Diego Padres affiliate, with the first two games in Bowling Green before shifting to Fort Wayne. Those two road games are the only games away from Bowling Green Ballpark for the first two weeks of the season, with the Hot Rods playing eight of the first 10 at home.

“It will give us a chance to get settled a little bit and get used to the league a little bit,” Szekely said. “It allows us to get used to the weather and other situations.”

Outfielder Josh Lowe said he is excited about a nice home stretch to open the season.

“That’s going to be huge to be able to stay at home and get in a good groove here,” Lowe said. “It’s going to be comfortable and relaxing coming to our own place and playing in front of a nice home crowd.”

Lowe, a 2016 first-round pick, is part of a talented group of every-day prospects that includes 2015 first-rounder Garrett Whitley, infielder Lucius Fox – acquired in the Matt Moore trade last year – and infielder Adrian Rondon.

“We’ve got a really good team, a young, athletic group,” Lowe said. “After playing down there in Florida, I know we are anxious to play against a new team. I know these guys are anxious to get on the field and win some ball games.”

Right-hander J.D. Busfield, who went 4-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 15 appearances out the bullpen for Hudson Valley (N.Y.) last season, is scheduled to make the start on Thursday. Left-hander Brock Burke is scheduled to start game two with Pete Bayer, Travis Ott, Adrian Navas and Kenny Rosenberg rounding out the BG rotation.

“I was impressed (with how the pitching staff looked in Florida),” pitching coach Bill Moloney said. “I am optimistic. There are always question marks heading into the season. You don’t know how guys are going to react in certain situations, but from what I saw … . I’m optimistic right now.”

The players are optimistic as well, hoping that a hot start can carry over into the weekend series at Fort Wayne.

“Hopefully we can get out to a hot start and have some momentum for that first road trip,” Whitley said.{&end}