3 UP

1.  Starting Pitching Back to Dominant Form

After a season we saw everyone but Noah Syndergaard have season ending surgery, the pitching has been healthy and as dominant as ever.  The three starting pitchers combined to pitch 18.2 IP allowing just two earned while striking out 17. It is more than the results. Syndergaard was throwing his slider back in the low to 90s. Jacob deGrom hitting 98 MPH multiple times. Matt Harvey was at 94 MPH mostly relying a two-seamer with good movement. His secondary pitches were good as well, especially his vaunted slider. With the stuff there, the Mets can expect similar results from these three for the rest of the season.

2.  Bruce Is On Fire

When Jay Bruce came to the Mets last season, he hit .219/.294/.391. Fans were frustrated with the Mets acquiring him, with him struggling, and with the Mets having been unable to trade him in the offseason. No one needed a hot start more than him. Bruce has had exactly that by going 3-9 with three runs, a double, a homer, and two RBI. Even better, he has three walks.

3.  The Bullpen

Addison Reed has shown his 2015 season was no fluke. Josh Smoker came out throwing 95+ MPH and featuring a slider that could transform him from a guy who only succeeds against right-handed batters to a guy who is a very real late inning option. Josh Edgin had an impressive first appearance that included striking out Mets killer Freddie Freeman. Jerry Blevins got out of a bases loaded one out jam. While Hansel Robles faltered on Wednesday, he was dominant on Opening Day picking up the win. Really, the only pitcher who has not had a good outing is Rafael Montero, who in all likelihood is ticketed for Triple-A once the Jeurys Familia suspension is over.

3 DOWN

1.  Again With The Injuries Prior to Opening Day, Steven Matz went on the disabled list with a strained flexor tendon. Seth Lugo was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL. Syndergaard had to leave his Opening Day start with a blister. In addition to the pitching, Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo opened the season on the disabled list. Of course, there is also the issue of David Wright missing his first Opening Day start in 12 years and no one knows when he can return.

2.  Jose Reyes Slow Start

Jose Reyes started the season 0-12 before getting his first hit. This is part of why the Mets have struggled to score in the opening series. Not only has he struggled at the plate, but he continues to look unfortable defneislvey at third base.

3.  Nationals Are Up For The Challenge

This promises to be a tight race in the National League East this year between the Nationals and the Mets. Both teams entered the season with some question marks, but the Nationals look really good so far. Bryce Harper appears to be back to his 2015 MVP form if not a little better. Daniel Murphy is once again proving the 2015 postseason and 2016 regular season was no fluke. That Nationals starting pitching, namely Stephen Strasburg and Tanner Roark, have shown themselves to be every bit the equal of the Mets. Surprise closer Blake Treinen does not seem overwhelmed by the role even if he couldn’t bail out his pen yesterday. The Nationals took two out of three in their opening series against the Marlins, and they looked good doing it.