Five Mets Opening Day predictions to begin the 2020 season

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 23: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets hits a RBI single in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

What can we expect from the New York Mets on Opening Day 2020?

Opening Day is still in the distance for the New York Mets. However, the further away a prediction is, the more fun I tend to find them.

We don’t know exactly who will be on the 26-man roster for the first game of the 2020 season. We can make some educated guesses and assumptions about who will be present and who won’t be there to contribute.

Before the picture becomes clearer and predictions are less fun in my opinion, let’s look into my crystal ball then dive into what will happen on Opening Day 2020.

Jacob deGrom drives in the first run of the year

It’s no longer a bold prediction to say Jacob deGrom will be the first man to drive in a run for the Mets. He has proven to be a solid hitter. Last year alone he hit two home runs and drove in six all while hitting a solid .200.

How does this all go down on Opening Day 2020? In either his first or second at-bat, I see deGrom poking a single into the outfield to break up the 0-0 tie.

On the mound, we can expect to see either Max Scherzer or Stephen Strasburg, but that won’t stop deGrom from putting the first crooked number on the scoreboard.

Unfortunately, this won’t start a big inning against the Washington Nationals. Rather, it’s the first run in a pitcher’s duel between deGrom and his opponent. We’ll have to wait a little later in the game to see another foot cross the plate.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Robinson Cano #24 of the New York Mets doubles to left field in the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field on September 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Robinson Cano drops in the lineup

Maybe the toughest for disgruntled Mets fans to believe, I do think we will see Robinson Cano drop in the lineup this season. It’s difficult to justify placing him in the third spot yet again—at least to start the year. He can earn it back by performing well. Until then, I see him in the bottom part of the order.

On Opening Day, Cano will bat sixth. This spot can help break up the lefties near the middle with Michael Conforto in the four-hole and either J.D. Davis or Wilson Ramos batting fifth. The other will find a spot behind Cano in the lineup with an opportunity to drive him in if he’s able to reach base.

At this stage of his career, Cano is a much better fit in the sixth or seventh spot. The Mets have to realize this and begin the year with the veteran second baseman falling down in the order. This is even more vital if they’re going to start the lineup off with Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo.

It’s never an easy conversation to have with an employee. However, Brodie Van Wagenen needs to make Cano understand this is what his role with the Mets has become.

Seven frames, 10 Ks, and 1 ER from Jacob deGrom

I hope you didn’t think I was finished with deGrom. In the second Opening Day start of his career, I’m predicting we see him toss seven innings, strike out 10 batters, and allow only a single earned run. The lone mistake will come on either one bad pitch or a lucky base hit.

Something I think we can all count on—deGrom isn’t going to beat up badly to begin the year.

deGrom had a similar outing to being the 2019 season. Against the Nationals, the reigning and future Cy Young winner went 6 innings, allowed 5 hits, walked 1, and struck out 10 batters. He didn’t allow a single run to score either in what became a 2-0 Mets win.

deGrom won’t be quite as lucky this time around. The defending champions will find a way to put a run up against him in the fifth or sixth inning to tie the game at 1.

Fortunately, deGrom will get a little help from a two-run shot before he exits the game.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 06: Wilson Ramos #40 of the New York Mets celebrates after hitting a 2-run home run to center field in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on August 06, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Wilson Ramos hits the first home run of the season

The first home run by a Mets player in 2020 will not come off the bat of Pete Alonso. Michael Conforto won’t yank one down the right field line. Robinson Cano won’t even repeat what he did against Max Scherzer in his first at-bat of last year.

Nope. It’s Wilson Ramos who I’m predicting will hit the first round-tripper of the year for the Mets.

With predictions like these, it’s not so much based on fact as much as it is a feeling. There’s something poetic about Ramos—a player deGrom and fellow pitcher Noah Syndergaard weren’t too pleased with in 2019 behind the plate—becoming a hero to start the new season.

And as much as I prefer to avoid poetry, I like it in my sports.

With a pinch-hitter ready to take the next at-bat for deGrom in the bottom of the seventh, I’m predicting Ramos gives the Mets a 3-1 lead with a two-run blast. The Buffalo will remind everyone what a force he is at the plate.

The defense shows up in a big way

A concern many still have for the Mets heading into the new season is the defense. Certainly a weakness, I think on Opening Day we’ll see some positive flashes. At some point, a guy we weren’t expecting to flash much leather this year will make a game-saving catch.

How specific should I be with this prediction? Maybe it’s a diving stop by Pete Alonso at first base to save a potential double. Or maybe we see J.D. Davis track a ball down in left field.

If I had to choose, I would like to see Amed Rosario be the one to make the first highlight grab of the year. His defensive shortcomings were a problem early last year. To see some improvement would definitely bode well for his future with this team.

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Late on Opening Day, someone is going to make a grab to help save the game. Mets fans will be treated to a 3-1 victory, a deGrom win, and the first save from Edwin Diaz of the year.

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