Mets Opening Day is finally here

It’s been a long six months. One filled with few roster moves, tons of rumors that didn’t come to fruition, and a whole lot of wishing for the winter to come to a close and for baseball to begin. That day is finally here.

While every Opening Day is exciting, this one feels different than the ones Mets fans have experienced over the last six seasons.

Yes, there was always hope and a Ya Gotta Believe attitude during the last six openers. There was always the possibility that the Mets would shock the world. There was always a new season stretched out in front of us that had the potential to become special. But there wasn’t true belief.

This year, most Mets fans – myself included – legitimately believe this team can not only contend, but thrive. Matt Harvey is back, Jacob deGrom looks to be picking up right where he left off, and the upside of Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, and even Rafael Montero is tantalizing.

Looking up and down the everyday lineup, you’ll see that every one of the Mets’ expected regulars profiles as an average or better offensive piece. Yes, you can attach question marks and what-ifs to most of the Mets’ regulars, but you can do the same with pretty much any team in baseball. The bottom line here is that there are no easy outs in the lineup. And that hasn’t been the case for quite some time.

The bullpen, as it usually is, is still a bit of a work in progress. But with two new lefty relievers added, high-upside arms in Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia, and the soon-to-return Vic Black and Bobby Parnell, the Mets have the makings of a solid pen.

This year is different because Matt Harvey is back, paired with Jacob deGrom and enough starting pitching depth to make other teams envious.

This year is different because the Mets have not one, but two electric starting pitchers knocking on the door to the majors.

This year is different because David Wright‘s power is back.

This year is different because the team believes it can be great.

This year is different because the fans believe this team can be great.

Starting today, words will become actions as the Mets’ 2015 campaign finally gets underway.

It will be Bartolo Colon on the mound for the Mets, not Harvey or deGrom. Colon might not even be with the team when crunch time rolls around in August and September, but that’s no matter.

It’s not how you start (or who starts), it’s how you finish. And for the first time in a long time, the expectation is that the Mets will finish the season in thrilling fashion.

Let’s Go Mets!