Johan Santana

When you evaluate the Mets chances of seriously challenging the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East this year, what is the biggest obstacle they need to overcome?

While staying healthy would be near the top of many people's lists, in my opinion it all hinges on starting pitching.

Outside of Johan Santana, just how much do you trust the two-through-five combination of Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, Jonathan Maine, and Jonathon Niese?

The New York Mets season began Monday afternoon at Citi Field against the Florida Marlins. Everyone from their fans to others around baseball have had concerns about the Mets' 2010 season due to early injuries, as well as a suspect starting rotation. For at least one day, however, those concerns were put on hold and the Mets came away with an opening day victory.

As I did following the Yankees opener in Boston, after each game I plan to post a quick recap.

In what was an unseasonably warm 70 degree afternoon at Citi Field in New York, the Mets bats were just as hot, putting together a good offensive performance to back up ace pitcher Johan Santana's solid outing.

The Mets strung together nine hits, and were helped out by three Marlins errors, en route to an opening day win. It was a relieving result to many anxious Mets fans, who don't really know what this season may hold.

Well those fans can rest easy tonight with their team jumping out to a 1-0 record. But what does the future hold for this team?

Opening Day optimism, there is nothing like it in sports.  Cubs fans have thrived on it for over 100 years.

This is, by far, my favorite time of the year on the sports calendar.  The snow has melted, the grass is turning green, and I can start to hear the crack of the bat and roar of the crowd.

For any baseball fan, there is no better time of year. The sun has finally broke through, spring training is in its final days, and it's time to play ball. 

This Sunday will mark the beginning of the 2010 season as the Yankees and Red Sox start off their season at Fenway Park. This matchup should be a great prelude to what will be another great season of baseball.

This continues my 2010 MLB preview. I intend to touch every team in the major leagues in installments by division. The lineups I provide will be what I predict will be the most productive for each team for the MAJORITY of the season (e.g., Jason Heyward will be listed as the Braves RF even though he may not begin the season as the starter).

I will also provide the stereotypical letter grade to each team's lineup, rotation, bullpen, and depth/bench. Though it is trite, I think all baseball fans can identify with the letter grade system.

No one bashes the Mets more than I do. That is a fact. My Mets' glass is always half-empty.

Lately, more and more fans and pundits have begun to feel the same way.  The Mets are going nowhere, fast.  All hope is lost. What is point of watching a team that continues to fall flat in every key situation?

Well, that's the reason why I'm picking the Mets for the NL playoffs this year. No one thinks they can win.

Much has been made about the lack of potential upgrades to the New York Mets rotation this offseason and, by and large, the reason for concern is legitimate.

Every slot in the rotation has a question mark next to its given name. Even Johan Santana, to a lesser extent, could be cause for concern after suffering season ending surgery last season.

Many Mets fans fall into a more doom-and-gloom mindset than a positive one.

Whether that’s because of persistent disappointment, a “younger brother” mentality associated with the Yankees, the attitude of talk radio hosts, or something else, Mets fans tend to approach the team waiting for the other shoe to drop and the team to fail.

As the self-proclaimed Optimistic Mets Fan, I tend not to take this approach anyway, but I’ve found that this rule is not true across the board.