Well, the season is underway. I usually like to start an article off with a nice husky compound sentence, but after the first trial run of the rotation and change, the outlook on our Metropolitans is even murkier than it was before the season started. A week ago it seemed like this year would be a complete waste of time. The Mets appeared to be in the middle of a downward spiral as the rest of the NL East was celebrating a growth spurt. Starting the season off on a four game win streak can turn doubters into believers. The fact of the matter is, our team has a wonderfully long season ahead of them. Although it hurts to lose two in a row against the Nationals after starting off so hot, we saw flashes of brilliance in those first couple games. Baseball is a game of inches, even centimeters, and if luck and health is on our side than there is the potential to make a splash. At this point I am simply throwing my assumptions and predictions out the window and just taking it game by game. So let’s analyze what happened during our first look at the rotation and see what’s truly brewing…

Game 1 – Home Opener vs. The Braves – Mets Win 1-0

Johan Santana vs. Tommy Hanson

W – Ramirez (1-0) L – Hanson (0-1) S – Francisco (1) Attendance – 42,080

YoYo’s fastball had a little less mph behind it, but the guy is a trained veteran who can more than make up for his slip in velocity. At one point he retired 12 straight and that aint’ too shabby considering it has been about 19 months since he last pitched in the big show. D wright drove in the winning run with a single in the 6th and the freshly constructed bullpen cleaned up the rest. Although it hurts to lose Andres Torres day one, it was certainly a pleasant way to start the season especially with the Yanks taking a loss. Also, whenever Rauch walks away from baseball, he should buy himself some tights and pursue a career as a professional wrestler.

Game 2 – vs. The Braves – Mets Win 4-2

R.A. Dickey vs. Jair Jurrjens

W – Dickey (1-0) L – Jurrjens (0-1) S – Francisco (2) Attendance – 39,526 Besides allowing a 2 run shot to Martin Prado, Dickey pitched a gem to secure the victory and Franky Francisco earned his second save in as many days. I simply don’t understand how so called MLB analysts don’t see the overwhelming value in our favorite knuckler. I’m not saying that people think he sucks, but he is viewed as a middle of the pack starter. In reality he is an inning eating beast who can calmly pitch -with men on base, and is a lock to own a sub-4 ERA by the end of the year. Shockingly, Thole kept up his hot hitting, but more importantly the Dude took off and absolutely blasted two bombs. I was at the game, and there was no doubt they were dingers from the crack of the bat. The Torres injury opened up space for the handsome Kirk Nieuwenhuis who managed two hits. To be perfectly honest, he looked terribly uncomfortable out there but I guess that is to be expected. Regardless, 2-0 baby! As a side note, Lucas Duda looks pretty intimidating in his picture…