I said this would happen

So the Mets win game 1 11-2 and game 2 8-4.  Truth be told, a 4 run win is not an outrageous wasted of runs.  But as I said after opening day, they were going to need some of those 11 runs.  Having lost game 3 2-1.

Some observations:

You have to feel good that the starting pitching has been good.
Home runs have been hit at home.
It's too soon to get on Ike Davis' case.
3 games in and we're still above .500

Save some runs for tomorrow

Watching opening day,  I was very pleased to see Jon Niese and the boys cruise into first place with an 11-2 victory.  But really, 11 runs???  Did they really need to score 11?  Why couldn't they stop at say 7 and save those other 4 runs for times when the offense is struggling or the pitching has a hiccough?  I know it doesn't actually work that way, but I can hope.

I was wondering why Ruben Tejada was batting in the 8 hole, but apparently he's there to set the table for Niese, who helped his own cause as they say going 2 for 2.  The magic number to clinch is now 161.  Let's go Mets!

Starting Gate

I used to go to the race track with my dad.  Before each race, I liked to watch the horses being led into the starting gate.  Once they were all in, the track announcer would say that all the horses were in and ready.  That is the beautiful thing about opening day.  All the teams are at the same place.  Everyone has an equal shot when the gate opens.

At this time tomorrow, if the Mets win, they will be in first place.  I don't expect it to happen.  If it does, I don't expect it to last.  The point is that as of this moment, the Amazins are tied with the other teams in the division.  The Braves, Phillies, and Nationals may look better on paper, but they don't play on paper.  Some friends ask me whether I follow this reality show or that one.  I reply that the only reality tv I watch is sports, and the new season is upon us.  Break out the popcorn.

Harvey

I get e-mails on a near daily basis from my beloved Mets.  Today, they were touting the strong start Rookie Pitcher Matt Harvey had during yesterdays spring training game.  I was reminded of the movie "Harvey" with Jimmie Sewart.  That Harvey was a 6' tall invisible rabbit.  I only hope Matt Harvey proves to be more real. However, it must be noted that his impressive outing was against the Marlins.

The 2013 Marlins have a whopping 33 non-roster invitees in their camp this spring.  The Mets' announcers were going on at length about how only 3 out of 8 starting positions seem to be set, and referred to the team as a bunch of kids.  Matt Harvey is a puppy whose career has gotten off to an impressive start.  His stats from 2012 compare favorably to the Nationals Stephen Strasbourg's first season.  Harvey is a pooka whose stats cannot be scientifically measured.

When the Mets succeed, it is because they have pitching.  The 1969 Amazin's had Seaver, Gentry and McGraw.  The 86 team was anchored by Doc and Darling and El Sid.  Even in the best of all possible worlds, Matt will be shut down in early September due to an innings cap.  Zack Wheeler may make it to the end of August for the same reason.

BTW the good news is that even though Harvey was invisible in the movie, he, and his abilities were quite real.

Opening Day Projections

Even though the entire spring roster is not required to arrive before Saturday, it is not too early to speculate on the Opening day line-up.  It is probably too difficult to specify the batting order, but the following players seem to have their fielding spots locked up:

1B:  Who
2B:  What
SS:  I Don't Care
3B:  I Don't Know
LF:  Why
CF:  Because
RF:  Duda
C:   Today
P:   Tomorrow

Clearly, with this line-up, Terry Collins is going to have to rely on speed to create runs.  Sandy Alderson is still trying to sign Yesterday to a free agent deal, but talks are stalled.

First Place Mets

I want to congratulate the Metropolitan's on winning their opener. The day began with a classy tribute to the late Gary "Kid" Carter, a cornerstone of their exciting teams in the mid to late '80's.

Johan Santana, who began spring training having not pitched in over a year, and who was uncertain to be ready to go opening day, gave us five scoreless innings. He also did what aces do, getting the out when it matters most- that final out of his day with the bases loaded.

David Wright did what he was supposed to do in driving in the game's only run. This, despite missing most of the spring with an oblique muscle injury that prevented him from swinging a bat. If Andres Torres spends less than a month on the DL, the training staff will have come far in rehabbing their reputation. Especially since nobody thought Tim Byrdak would be ready to contribute (striking out the 2 batters he faced) by opening day.

People say you can't rebuild in New York. This is false. I know I've predicted doom and gloom, but I'm a cyinic. I'm also a fan- give me a reason to believe, any reason, and I will.

Preview 2012

Hey fans! We're almost at Pitchers and Catchers. Let's look at the Mets upcoming season- It's gonna suck! In fact, the Mets slogan for 2012 is: The Mets 2012- Check back in 3 years!

Sure, it's not going to sell tickets, but honesty is the best policy. Their most exciting player from last season is now a Marlin. The only person that is afraid of their everyday lineup is their manager. The pitching staff- Johan hasn't pitched in over a year and the rest of the staff can be found in the dictionary under the word "mediocre."

Actually, bringing in the fences will hurt their pitching because their collective ERA was much better at the TARP than it was on the road. They've upgraded the closer and set up man, but are they ever going to get to play them? If you're a fan of disaster movies, the Mets 2012 are right up your alley.