“It’s a challenge, but this is a year that can’t be about excuses,’’ general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Monday.

“We are not the only team that has faced adversity with scheduling. We’re not the only team that’s faced adversity with losing players or coaches for a period of time… We’ve got to think about what we do have and find ways to be competitive with the schedule we’re faced with.”

That’s easier said than done, and honestly, I feel that the Mets have been dealt a very unfair hand that clearly puts them at a disadvantage no matter how you look at it.