Opening Start

1 down, 161 to go. Opening Day in baseball has such an amazing feeling, no matter where you are. Spring is in the air, it's a new beginning and that long anticipation ends after a cold winter. Every team starts out the same way, the stadiums are all filled to capacity and for one day, fans can cheer on their team without any negativity. For some teams, after opening day, they would love to just call it in, go out with a bang and avoid the disaster that is about to occur during the next 161 games. For others, they will build off the momentum of a fresh start and keep their stadiums packed until October.

The New York Mets, without sounding too dramatic, desperately needed to win this year's Opening Day. After a horrendous 2009, one in which we all want to forget about forever, the 2010 season has to be better. So, without Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran starting on opening day, two of the Mets big name stars, the rest of the team stepped up and played error-free defense, had timely hits and effective pitching, especially from the staff's ace, Johan Santana. The Mets bullpen, which Manager Jerry Manuel has said is his biggest concern, cam up with 3 scoreless innings to finish out Santana's strong outing.

How does this good start translate into season long success???

David Wright continued his power surge from spring training, homering in his first at bat of the season yesterday. He looked patient and much more comfortable at the plate.

Johan Santana had great control and high velocity and he showed no signs of change after having surgery in the off-season.

New acquisitions, Gary Matthews, JR., Jason Bay and Rod Barajas all contributed with their bats and gloves, filling holes in the lineup left open by Beltran and Reyes. Turning a weaker lineup of last year, into a competitive, higher scoring one for 2010.

Relief pitcher Fernando Nieve, who was up for the 5th spot in the rotation, looks like a viable candidate for this season's long reliever and spot starter out of the bullpen. He pitched two scoreless innings, opening the door for K-Rod.

But, what about the rest of the bullpen? What about first base? Jerry Manuel is still concerned about his bullpen, and with a 7-1 win, he still feels that way having not been able to see any of his other pitchers in action. Daniel Murphy, this years starting first baseman, is on the DL and his replacement, Mike Jacobs, went 0-4 at the plate. That position still remains to be a problem for the Mets. Murphy will need to come back from this stint on the DL and contribute immediately to push aside any doubts.

Mets fans should be happy today. They are undefeated and will stay that way for at least another 24 hours. All things considered, the team looked great! If the Mets play this way until Beltran, Murphy and Reyes get back, they should theoretically be a contender in the National League.....theoretically.