Opening Day in the MLB is only two days away as I write this article, and I anxiously await as my favorite team, the New York Mets, miserably fail to exceed the lofty expectations they are dished out annually. Actually though, could this be the year? The Mets had a busy and eventful offseason, giving out huge contracts to stars Max Scherzer and Starling Marte, and also being active in the trade market, acquiring pitcher Chris Bassit from the A’s. The roster has talent, and the projections definitely seem to recognize the immense potential this team has to offer, so let’s see what could be in store for them in 2022.

The offense generates the most excitement for this team coming into the season. Their lineup, top to bottom, is very good if not elite amongst teams in the MLB. They have power, evident by slugger Pete Alonso, they have on base skills, which leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo really specializes in, they have speed in guys like Nimmo and the aforementioned Marte, and they have bounceback candidates such as Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor that can turn the lineup over and truly make it one of the best run-producing teams in the entire league. 

The pitching, on the other hand, is a bit more of a question mark. Going into the spring, I was over the moon to see two future hall of farmers in Jacob deGrom and newly acquired Max Scherzer form the greatest 1-2 punch in all of baseball history… but now deGrom is shut down for at least 4 weeks with shoulder issues and Max has a quad issue that could see him miss Opening Day. That leaves a sort of ragtag bunch made up of Carlos Carrasco, who is coming off injuries and a horrible year last season, Taijuan Walker, who was an All-Star but had an abysmal 2nd half to 2021, and young arms in Tylor Megill and David Peterson, who have shown flashes, but not huge success. The bullpen should be better, however, with Edwin Diaz, Trevor May, and new signing Adam Ottavino anchoring a mostly sturdy relief group, but starting pitching remains a question. 

Overall Predictions:

Record: 88-74, 2nd Place NLE, Wild Card berth

Defeat Brewers in Wild Card round

Defeat Braves in NLDS

Lose to Dodgers in NLCS

Player Awards:

MVP: Francisco Lindor

Cy Young: Max Scherzer

Breakout Player: Mark Canha