Whew…Mets take opener: Mets 6, Phillies 5

That was some game.  For the first time all season, this felt like a playoff game.  Citi Field was absolutely rocking and both teams played really well.  It was tense throughout the affair and luckily the Mets came out on top.

The two remaining core members got the Mets off to an early 3-0 start.  David Wright is halfway there to my bold prediction and Carlos Beltran hit a bomb too.  Moses and I talked about how the Mets don’t need to hit more home runs, but they could certainly help.  Tonight proved why.  They didn’t get many hits, but they took advantage of the ones they got.

Nice to see Ryan Church hit that bomb into the apple.  He’s been so dreadful for so long, and the Mets could really use a productive Church with Reyes and Delgado out.  Gotta hope this series can get him back on track.

Johan Santana wasn’t great tonight, but I love his competitiveness.  Did you see the look in his eyes when Jerry came out to remove him from the game?  He looked like he was about to stab his own manager.  I know you don’t want to show up your skipper, but I absolutely loved that.  He had fire in his eyes.  If the Mets make the playoffs, watching Santana pitch in October will be the most fun I’ll ever have watching baseball.  It’s like having Superman on your side.  You just feel supremely confident when Santana is in your corner.

Gotta hand it to the bullpen for closing the door shut.  Pedro Feliciano was remarkable and K-Rod remained perfect.  I also tip my cap to Jimmy Rollins for that hard slide to keep the game going.  That’s the type of stuff I talk about when I say the Phillies have an edge and the Mets don’t.  When was the last time you saw someone on the Mets break up a play at second like that?  Wright and Beltran just run out of harm’s way on those plays.  Good for Rollins and I hope the Mets will do the same from now on.

Awesome first game to this difficult 32-game stretch.  The Mets are now 1-0 and will try to keep things rolling tomorrow night.  And yes, I will keeping a tally of how they do over these next 32.  Drew said if they go 18-14, the team will be in excellent position to make the playoffs.  Just gotta go 17-14 from here on out.