Happy Opening Day, and welcome to the first Mets 360 Game Chatter of 2014! Enjoy the special extended game preview before the comment thread. The more astute of you may notice the absence of a chat box. We are in the process of getting a new chat service for the Game Chatters, and while we get the kinks worked out, the game chatters will be conducted as comment threads (so just comment under this post). A simple refresh of the screen will load the new comments. – Joe Vasile
In A Nutshell
After an offseason in which the Mets addressed some needs while ignoring others, the semi-new-look team looks to begin anew as they begin their march toward 90 wins, or 81, or 73. The season should include the debuts of top prospects Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero, as well as the continued development of catcher Travis d’Arnaud, outfielder Juan Lagares, and pitcher Zack Wheeler. It won’t be an easy start, as the team takes on the Washington Nationals, who are hungry to return to the playoffs after missing out last season, in a three-game series, then will play host to the Cincinnati Reds, a playoff team from 2013.
On The Mound
Dillon Gee (0-0, 0.00) vs. Stephen Strasburg (0-0, 0.00)
Dillon Gee gets the nod as the fourth Opening Day starter for the Mets in the last four seasons. Gee looks to build off a successful second half in 2013, posting a 2.74 ERA in 88.2 post-break innings, with a 3.53 BB:K ratio, and held opponents to a .239 batting average. Stephen Strasburg gets his third straight Opening Day nod for the Nats. Last year, his 8-9 record did not accurately reflect just how good he was – opponents hit just .205 against him and he posted a dominant 1.05 WHIP.
The Lineups
Here are the starting lineups for the Mets and Nationals, not quite the 2010 Opening Day lineup, but not exactly what most people were expecting, I’m sure. The decision to hit Lagares second is particularly interesting. Andrew Brown will probably be hard to remember when you’re taking that Mets Opening Day lineups Sporcle quiz sometime down the road.
| Mets | Nationals |
|---|---|
| Eric Young Jr. – 2B | Denard Span – CF |
| Juan Lagares – CF | Ryan Zimmerman – 3B |
| David Wright – 3B | Jayson Werth – RF |
| Curtis Granderson – RF | Wilson Ramos – C |
| Andrew Brown – LF | Bryce Harper – LF |
| Ike Davis – 1B | Ian Desmond – SS |
| Travis d’Arnaud – C | Adam LaRoche – 1B |
| Ruben Tejada – SS | Anthony Rendon – 2B |
| Dillon Gee – P | Stephen Strasburg – P |
NL East Standings
Atlanta Braves (0-0)
Washington Nationals (0-0)
New York Mets (0-0)
Philadelphia Phillies (0-0)
Miami Marlins (0-0)
Hey I thought my M360 banner win got opening day chatter presented by Chris F!!!!!!!!!
LGM!!!!!!!
So I’m surprised by this lineup. I’m just glad TC wasn’t tempted to use Duda in the OF. We now get to see the crazy triple platoon though; it’s supposed to be Davis today, Satin tomorrow, Duda 3rd game. Also not sure Lagares and his hacking ways/low OBP is a good idea behind Young Jr and in front of David. Should be only temporary until Murphy comes back though.
Let’s hope the Mets continue their awesome Opening Day record.
just reading about this Name. Duda was scheduled for OF, except he had leg issues in ST.
I agree all around, Name.
Happy Opening Day everybody.
You’re right Chris — my fault because I forgot to tell Joe. I’ll make it up to you tomorrow!
Or I will Wednesday.
just kidding guys
Whaddya say, let’s win a game!
Only 90 more to go.
Season isn’t over yet.
One up one down!
Double play right here…get out of this
Alright, good start, now lets score some runs
Come on Dave!
Tough start for Curtis
nice start for Lagares!
BROWN
yeah baby!
Andrew Brown!!!!!!!!!
Alright Andrew! Sorry I ever doubted you.
The most hated boy in baseball is coming up.
I hope Harper is okay.
Tejada – Line Drive – That’s what he needs to do.
Way to go Ruben
I like it when the Mets score runs. They should do this more often.
Also I should note that that was a good sac bunt call by TC.
David!
Not watching live but offense 8ks thru 4. Hopefully that’s just Strasburg being filthy and not a sign of things to come. And TC getting lucky with Brown. Maybe he’ll be like Turner last year who was good when he spot started but stunk off the bench
Assuming that Brown will be here more than a week. I doubt they’re going to cut bait on either Davis or Duda when Niese gets activated, meaning Brown’s the likely one to get sent down.
Gee’s retired 14 straight since the homer.
Does Strasburg hit double-digit K before he’s pulled?
I figure this is his last inning.
He got it
you guys are gonna laugh at me, but Ive devised a holistic scoring scheme to measure the quality of each play and AB. I will give you my results at the end of game. Im still perfecting the whole scheme. This is my way to offer a semi-quantitative alternative to some of the other “quantitative” metrics at our disposal.
Torres reverting back to pre13 form?
sad pen.
Oh, bullpen.
Let’s see if TC will use every pitcher on the roster.
LAGARES!
He derby! This game has mostly been Hr and strikeouts.
Juan!
Hes having a nice day.
let me just say. Im not exactly thrilled to see Parnell coming out.
Don’t worry Chris, we have opening day luck on our side
i know amigo. great to be back.
not a good outing for parnell
Espinosa should’ve been out looking.
Day 1 and we are already complaining about the pen.
Well, there is no reason to believe in Parnell. Much like Ike, he simply is not that good. What a soul crushing inning.
5 pitchers into this…and its game 1. deja vu….
got the feeling of “extras”. Wonder how many we will play this year.
hmmm, harper, 10th inning…and hes a Met killer with a runner in scoring position…
The amount of double-switching in this game is absurd. This isn’t an exhibition game Terry, wake up! Not everyone needs to get into this game.
what the hell happened?
3 run homer by Rendon.
lannan gives up 3 run HR?
Yep. TC and his LOOGY love predictably failed us again.
Yep.
17Ks and 2 BBs.
Yeah, 90 Wins….
Everyone take your pills now.
Yea the reason it doesn’t lookworse is because Brown’s HR is masking some of the ugliness. Alderson’s bullpen construction is going to come under fire after this game. 3 drugging years and the bullpen still has major problems.
extra innings
long game
loss to Nats
7 pitchers
18 Ks
2 BBs
Sound familiar?
My scoring of the game provided the following ranking, combining offense and defense:
1. Lagares
2. Wright
3. Brown
Grandy had the worst of the position players, with no offense, and limited defense opportunities.
Tejada had an overall “expected” day playing short, handling all his chances on D, but below expectation on offense.