3 Mets players who don't deserve blame for the team's horrific 0-4 start

2) Sean Manaea was fantastic in his Mets debut

Sean Manaea would probably not be on the Mets if they were able to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto this offseason. A need for reasonably priced starting pitching in the wake of Yamamoto's signing with the Dodgers led David Stearns to Manaea's door, though, and while he scuffled his way to a 4.44 ERA with the Giant last year, he's looked great since donning the blue and orange (and no, that's not a reference to his new clean-cut look).

Manaea turned in a solid spring, posting a 3.24 ERA in four starts with better than a 5:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he was even better in his first regular season appearance. The lefty shut down the undefeated Tigers on Monday, twirling six innings of one-hit, shutout ball behind eight strikeouts and just two walks. He would have been in line for the win if the Mets lineup wasn't so inept right now, and instead had to settle for a no-decision after the Mets lost in extras.

Manaea has been a starter throughout his career, but the Giants brought him out of the bullpen much of last year, as 27 of his 37 appearances came in relief. With the Mets' early injury woes and questionable depth on the back end of the rotation anyway, Manaea should have no problem cementing his spot in the rotation all season, especially if he pitches anywhere close to how he did against the Tigers.