I can guarantee that not one odds maker, pundit or even the most savvy of gamblers remotely thought the Mets would start the season in such a way. Consider the issues first, Wheeler and Edgin gone before the season starts due to injury. Wright goes down within the first ten games, d'Arnaud gets plunked after a hot start, Blevins fills a void in the best way possible and breaks his freaking arm!
What's next? Locusts?!? The new walls at Citi Field were sure to come down on Granderson and Lagares, injuring them for the rest of the season. Hell the home run apple might as well become that God awful dolphin mosaic from the Marlins stadium.
Also, we are Mets fans. We expect the worst, we almost invite it in to our homes, cook it a hot meal, give a bed and then wait with both eyes open for the other shoe to drop or more appropriately the other ulnar collateral ligament to tear.
So much to our surprise or chagrin, the Mets did the opposite of what they always do. They persevered. Wait? Wha... nah. The Mets met adversity head on, kicked it in the balls and said F-off! We gonna win now! 11 straight wins, a perfect home stand and with a rubber game victory tonight the Mets will equal the best start in team history as they continue to mirror the 1986 clubs early record. There's a palpable difference here however, in 86 they were supposed to win, they were supposed to be good and everyone knew it. This team wasn't supposed to win, everyone thought they had an outside chance at a wild card spot, they might win 83-85 games and take that positive step forward that we have been waiting for but this?
However, something funny happened on the way to slightly better than mediocre. Bartolo Colon turned back the clock, Eric Campbell has made us wonder if we remember who David whats his name is and Wilmer Flores? He's our starting shortstop of course! Who else would be? Familia, best closer in the NL right now. Not to mention that we have two starters and multiple position players in the minor league system that are seriously making us question some of our roster choices.
All good problems to have, but problems the Mets are not used to having almost ever. This team seems to have an abundance of riches and its paying off. Whether you want to credit Omar Minaya or Sandy Alderson, this team is where it needs to be. Of course a little bad luck here and there and we could be right back where many think we belong. But for now all cylinders are clicking, confidence is at an all time high and most importantly, we are winning ball games. Hell, Jon Niese got thrown out of a game he wasn't even playing in. Last year that would never have happened. There's are fire and a will. It could be Harvey's return or it could be the veteran leadership of Cuddyer. Guess what, I don't care, just win baby! Beat team AARP tonight and I can go to work tomorrow repping the orange and blue with pride.
There's a long road ahead and good starts do not always mean good finishes (see 2007 and 2008) but for now this team looks for real. Enjoy it!
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