Despite a heart-breaking loss on Opening Day, a game that had the Mets only three outs away from victory, there were a couple of bright spots worth mentioning.
While many may overreact to the team’s first loss and are focusing on another classic bullpen collapse, Eric Young striking out four times while batting leadoff, and Curtis Granderson‘s 0-for-5 Mets debut, we did have two positive developments worth mentioning.
“It was not a great day,” said a dejected David Wright after the game. But the captain had a huge day with two sharp plays in the field, and a 3-for-5 showing at the plate that included two singles and a two-run home run. Wright looks primed for another big season for the Mets in 2014 and he showed up ready to play.
Not even expected to play until Chris Young (sore quad) and Daniel Murphy (new baby boy) were scratched from the lineup an hour before game time, Juan Lagares gave the fans another show-stopping performance. This time however, it was at the plate.
The Mets’ defensive stalwart went 2-for-4, with a walk, a home run, and three runs scored in his season debut. Will that be enough to earn another start on Wednesday? Who knows, but for now enjoy the fact that all he’s done is hit in Winter Ball and Spring Training and the 25-year old could have a breakthrough season offensively if given the chance.
If the Mets are going to make some noise in the NL East this season, they’ll need strong offensive efforts from David Wright, Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson to be sure. But if at least one of Juan Lagares and Travis d’Arnaud can ramp up their offensive game this year, it would certainly make scoring runs for this team a lot easier than it was last season.
In Wright and Lagares, I believe we’re looking at two players who will lead this team in WAR this season if they both stay healthy and play 155 games each.
Yesterday, was a good start. Lets Go Mets…
