3 Mets Opening Day overreactions that could become a reality

A 0-1 start isn’t typical for the New York Mets whose Opening Day success is something often discussed on the first day of the MLB season. The 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday felt a lot worse than it really was simply because we have yet to taste that sweet nectar called victory just yet.

One game is hardly enough to know what the 2024 Mets have in store for us. In which case, any conclusion to draw from the loss is an overreaction.

But what about those quick jumps to conclusion that could in fact become a reality as the season progresses? These three might not just be an overreaction after all.

1) Overreaction Now, Reality Later: The Mets offense stinks

The biggest criticism of the Mets roster was the uncertainty with the starting rotation. Considering where they were in recent seasons, stockpiled with Cy Young Award winners and other very talented pitchers, the drop off is tough to ignore. Luis Severino is coming off of a miserable year. Sean Manaea hasn’t been impressive for a few seasons either. Then there’s Adrian Houser who’s a fine fifth starter but not exactly a savior. Jose Quintana, of course, got the nod in the first game of the season and was just all right for what he is: a soft-tossing veteran who probably won’t go deep into games.

A lack of wood hitting baseballs was the story in this one and not the pitching. The Mets had only one hit. And if you’re like me, the urge to use the bathroom happened when Starling Marte hit his home run accounting for the lone hit of the day for the team. The fear of being a “mush” against the Mets was quickly thwarted when I also exited the room for a moment only for Christian Yelich to tie the game with a solo shot of his own.

The Mets looked unprepared for Opening Day. It’s almost as if their poor offensive performance in the spring was in fact a reality. In a way, being no-hit might’ve been more acceptable. We could justify it by saying the Brewers pitching dominated. This game didn’t feel that way. It was more about the Mets hitters looking lost.

Could the offense really be this bad? Sadly, if everyone repeats what they did last year, it’s going to be a long and sad season.

2) Overreaction Now, Reality Later: Starling Marte is back

Although one hit isn’t enough to declare Starling Marte “back” he did nearly hit another home run as well. Following a miserable spring training, it’s nice to see one of the more important members of the Mets roster come up with a big hit and nearly a second on an otherwise ineffective day.

Marte is the kind of guy who can completely alter the way the Mets lineup looks. Able to hit at the top or middle as needed, rediscovering the ability of hitting for any power at all is key for him to have a successful year.

It wasn’t a picture perfect day for Marte as he battled the late March sun for a couple of fly balls. He came away on top in those instances and that burning ball of gas is an easy way to reason why the veteran outfielder wasn’t so smooth. An improvement on defense, even just slightly, from last year is another line on the wish list of Mets fans this year.

Durability is what Marte will have to prove to fans. Regular DH appearances will become unavailable once J.D. Martinez is on the roster so it’s all up to Marte’s body to cooperate.