For one team in Flushing, Opening Day was a showcase of sloppy defense, wild pitching, and an inability to score runs. It sounds like a typical day at Citi Field, but something made it vastly different from last season – this time it was the Mets’ opponent, and not the Mets themselves, that looked like a little league team.
The Mets, on the other hand, played nearly perfect baseball yesterday. They pitched well and made no costly errors. They flashed some power, picked up timely hits, and made productive outs. Most importantly, they won the game. Basically, the Mets did everything they failed to do for most of 2009.
It’s only a blip on the screen, but Game 1 was a great start to the 2010 season and a potential sign of things to come. David Wright is already one-tenth of the way to his 2009 home run total, and appears to have good protection in the lineup from newcomers Bay, Matthews Jr., and Barajas. Jeff Francouer demonstrated a new-found plate discipline by hitting a sacrifice fly and even drawing a walk. Once Reyes and Beltran return the offense (and defense) will be even better.
On the mound, Johan Santana confirmed he is fully recovered and K-Rod showed his dominance, with Fernando Nieve bridging the gap. If the Mets can get six solid innings from their starters and three from their relievers they will have a proven recipe for success.
So, with just one game in the books, the Mets have given their fans reason for hope. If the Mets can continuously repeat the sound, fundamental baseball they played on Opening Day, 2010 will be a very good year.
I'm glad to see you step your game up and actually post... you bum...
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note I came into this season with no expectations and still have none. I will say this though if they do play solid baseball this year they will make the season at least interesting. Thats all Im hoping for now.