The Wait Is Finally Over…

Get ready to settle in and enjoy the first game of the Grapefruit League Season tomorrow as the Mets take on the Atlanta Braves in game that will be televised on SNY at 1:05 PM.

Nelson Figueroa will start for the Mets, and here is the starting lineup..

1. Gary Matthews Jr. – CF
2. Luis Castillo – 2B
3. Jose Reyes – SS
4. David Wright – 3B
5. Jason Bay – LF
6. Mike Jacobs - DH
7. Jeff Francoeur – RF
8. Ike Davis – 1B
9. Chris Coste – C

Notes:

The Mets tuned up for tomorrow with an intra-squad game this afternoon in which Jose Reyes electrified onlookers by stroking a two-run triple in his very first at-bat while batting third. Yeah it was against Tobi Stoner, but still… The triple sparked chants of “Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se” from the fans who were on hand, and invoked smiles on the faces of all the Mets coaches and Jerry Manuel.

Interesting to see that Daniel Murphy will be watching from the bench tomorrow while Ike Davis starts. You might remember that on Friday, Jerry Manuel said he hasn’t eliminated Davis from the competition at first base and that he could emerge as the starter. That’s all fine and dandy. but it still sounds like a bad idea to me.

We already know what to expect from Henry Blanco and Rod Barajas, so it looks like Coste, Santos and Riggans will each get some playing time as the Mets decide who goes to AAA to tutor young Josh Thole.

Nelson Figueroa will be competing with Jon Niese and Fernando Nieve for the fifth spot in the rotation. Who ever wins the job might still start the season in AAA and then get called up once the fifth starter is need. This will buy the Mets some additional time before deciding who the 25th man will be. It could come down to either Mike Jacobs or Frank Catalanotto.