10 Thoughts On New York Mets at Cincinnati Reds (Game 1)

Boxscore

1) I’m absurdly happy to see Daniel Murphy get the 2-hole over Luis Castillo. I totally agree that Castillo should be given the chance to earn his way up in the line-up but if you’re going to convince the world that Murphy is the answer to Manny Ramirez, put him up in the 2-hole. Now, if we can never ever sac-bunt in the first inning, we’ll be getting somewhere.

2) Let’s hope that the Mets’ training staff is up to snuff. Rainy day with threats of snow — 39 degrees. I’m terrified. The umpire agrees as he apparently has an ENORMOUS strike zone in the first inning. Hey, no one wants to stand around in a cold rain.

3) I am hopeful. No sacrifice bunt called for in the second at-bat of the season. Again, I’ll take the 85% chance of the successful steal over the 100% chance of an out.

4) Santana’s change-up is absolutely disgusting this early in the season. It’s almost unfair. I’m glad he’s on our side.

5) The crazy bobbling 9-3 double play from Church to Delgado has a chance to be the Mets’ best defensive play of 2009 and it’s the first game. Congrats, boys — it’s all down hill from here. Or not, as David Wright decided to one-up them two innings later. Church and Murphy are putting on a show in the corners today. Gary who?

6) There is still nothing more depressing in baseball than your pitcher coming up with the bases loaded. The best we can hope for is what Santana did. Work a long, 8-pitch at bat to try and get the starter’s pitch count up. Unfortunately, it’s Harang who can throw seven thousand pitches in a game.

7) Am I the only one who, by the beginning of the fourth inning, had signed up for a no-hitter as an omen of the awesomeness about to come this year? I was ready for the headlines tomorrow. Now I have to wonder if the Mets’ bullpen getting it done will be the story tomorrow or CC’s first game implosion.

8) Daniel Murphy is doing nothing to fend off my growing mancrush. I’m beginning to think he likes it.

9) It’s been six months since the end of last season, and I still got a douchechill when Manuel went to the bullpen. There was no reason to as none of these guys were even on the team last year, but that kind of logic has no place here. It was terrifying.

10) Keith’s point about the Mets not being able to script a better opening day was spot-on. I’m sure that’s the theme SNY will harp on for the next 48 hours. The first text message I sent after the victory was that I forgot what a drama-free 10 bullpen outs could feel like. It’s something I could get used to again.

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Final Thought: I’m not going to concern myself with Santana’s 4 walks in the first game of the season. Especially on a day where it was wet, gross, and slippery. Great win, great showing by my sweet love Daniel Murphy, and a blessed final 3 innings. And, really, great job by the manager for putting the last three innings on the bullpen. That had to be a huge boost in morale for everyone from the fans to the actual starting players.