The Mets defeated the Marlins by the score of 7 to 2 in Miami.
For a complete box score, click here.
To watch ‘s exclusive Post-Game Extra with Ron Darling, Keith Hernandez and Gary Cohen, click here.
…santana was outstanding…yes, i was thinking and talking about a potential no-hitter as early as the first out…i’m sorry, i can’t [...]

The Game :
The Mets kick off the 2008 season on the road with a series against the last team they faced in 2007, the Florida Marlins, starting at 4:25 pm EDT.

The Lineup :

SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
RF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
SP Johan Santana

The Pitchers :
LHP [...]

…i will soon be heading over to Butterfield 8, where more than 100 readers of this site will gather to watch the Mets take on the Marlins in Game 1 of 162…i’m actually nervous that there may not be enough room…
…honestly, i am a lot more excited for today’s game than i thought i would be…i mean, [...]

Of the 5,000 fans who responded to a poll on MetsBlog.com last week, 40 percent said, “At least advance to the World Series,” when asked to give a level of success that will satisfy expectations in 2008. 
Meanwhile, 13 percent said, “Win or World Series or bust.”
…in other words, more than half of the fans [...]

…like i did last year at MetsBlog.com, i asked a collection of bloggers and columnists to help answer a series of Under-Over Scenarios for 2008…
…this year, i am happy to feature answers from two of MetsBlog’s guest bloggers, Regis Courtemance and Mike Nichols, as well as Ken Rosenthal from FoxSports.com, Buster Olney from ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch from [...]

Willie Randolph has issued a statement to his team’s fans, via Mets.com’s fan newsletter.
Among other things, Randolph says:

Our team is ready to go. That’s the message I want to send to you Mets fans as we prepare for today’s opener in South Florida. The goal this year is to make our final season at Shea [...]

Starting today, on Ch. 98, Comcast will finally add  to it’s lineup in the Hartford area.
Meanwhile, Cox Communications in Connecticut continues to refuse SNY, denying thousands of Mets fans the chance to watch the team…again.
…what’s worse, from what i recall during my time in Middletown, CT, most of CT is subject to blackout rules on MLB [...]

…last season, i railed against Shea Stadium’s decision to steal from the Red Sox and force Sweet Caroline down our throats during the eighth inning of every game…you know the rant…if not, go here…or don’t, because it will hopefully all be a thing of the past thanks to the following:
This season, the Mets ask you [...]

Of the 19 experts at ESPN.com, from Steve Phillips to Jayson Stark to Peter Gammons to Buster Olney, 10 pick the Mets to win the National League East, while five pick the Mets to win the Wild Card.
Of the nine who did not pick the Mets to win the division, only two picked the Phillies [...]

Naturally, with a new season set to begin later today, and with 182 days since the final game of last season, the Daily News, Newsday and New York Post remember ‘The Collapse.’
David Wright, speaking about ‘The Collapse,’ as quoted by Steve Popper in the Bergen Record:

“It’s in the past.  There’s nothing we can do about it.  [...]

Willie Randolph, talking to reporters today in Miami, speaking about his team’s attitude going from spring training to the regular season, while starts tomorrow:

“I feel real good about it.  Everybody got their work in, we got a lot of fundamentals done, after starting out a little beat up every one seems to be coming in [...]

The Mets will use the following starting lineup for tomorrow’s game against the Marlins, who will have the left-handed Mark Hendrickson on the mound:

SS Jose Reyes will bat leadoff, followed by 2B Luis Castillo, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Carlos Delgado, LF Angel Pagan, RF Ryan Church, C Brian Schneider and LHP [...]

According to the team, Orlando Hernandez, Duaner Sanchez and Ramon Castro will begin the season on the 15–day disabled list.
As such, Raul Casanova, Mike Pelfrey, Joe Smith and Brady Clark have been added to the team’s 25-man roster.
Clark will wear No. 44, i.e., R.I.P. Lastings Milledge.
Therefore, the following will be the 2008 New York Mets:

Starting Pitchers: Johan [...]

The Mets have told Mike Pelfrey he will be the team’s fifth starter, making his first appearance against the Braves in Atlanta on April 5.
…fair enough…like most of us had been saying, the job should have gone to el duque if he is healthy…if he is not, then go to the disabled list and give pelfrey another [...]

Joe Smith has beaten out Brian Stokes, Nelson Figueroa and Ricardo Rincon for the final spot in the team’s bullpen, according to the Journal News and Newsday, both of which also provide quotes from Smith.
…excellent…welcome back, smith, who has been fairly consistent of late, which is exactly what the team wanted to see from him…
Also, [...]