BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

The Mets put on quite a show Friday night, and the fans got exactly what they’ve been craving since the stadium opened on Monday.

The fireworks started in the first inning with three quick runs from the Mets. Later on however, Ryan Braun put the Brewers ahead with a laser beam three-run homer in the sixth. Then it was Gary Sheffield’s turn.

Pinch hitting in the bottom of the seventh, the big strong Mets’ righty blasted his 500th career homer and tied up the game. While it was first ever homerun as a New York Met, you wouldn’t have known by the reaction he received from the fans and his teammates.

“I was so excited that, you know, when I looked over to the dugout, those were the guys,” said Sheffield. “I appreciate every one of those guys. They’ve been very special to me.”

The Mets left plenty of men on base, but got a very clutch infield single from Luis Castillo in the bottom of the ninth to take the game. It was a much needed win after a handful of one run losses already in the early part of the season. Having Gary Sheffield and Luis Castillo be the main cogs to a big victory is the spark this team needs to get going. I Hope.

Congrats to Shef on his 500th and an unforgettable evening!

Pelfrey's comeback was key as the Mets start the season 2-0

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

1. Pelfrey showed us he’s got guts
After a dreadful first inning, including a botched tailor-made double play, Pelfrey recovered very nice and managed to throw four scoreless innings. His line wasn’t pretty (5 innings pitched, 4 ER), but he proved to me that he certainly is capable of handling things when the going gets tough.

2. I Love Bobby Parnell’s Arm and his presence in the bullpen
The Mets really didn’t have a guy that could gas it up close to 100 mph. While K-Rod and Putz both throw hard, Parnell brings them that power arm they have been lacking in the bullpen since Wagner’s health became an issue. He walked a couple of men, but pitched a scoreless inning. Can’t wait to see more.

3. David Wright looks off, but he’s still in the thick of it
David hasn’t looked himself just yet, although his double late in the game was a very positive looking sign. Still, look at the box score and he went 1-4, but managed to score three runs. While I would rather see a homer or a few RBI’s in there instead, Wright manages to play a huge role in the Mets offense even when he isn’t at his best.

4. I think our lineup has more balance than many believe
A lot of fans feel that our bottom part of our order is a major negative bit I’m not so sure. Ryan Church looks good and healthy, Brian Schneider had a huge hit with the bases loaded, and while Castillo still has much to prove, he looks fit and has hit some balls hard through two games. They’re not going to put up huge numbers but they are capable of doing damage when you least expect.

5. It felt like a game from ‘08, with one major difference
We won! It was tense, there was plenty of doubt, but K-Rod got the job done with bases loaded and one out. That was a game that we lose last year. The bullpen didn’t look as stout as it did in game one, but it comes down to wins and losses. And that was a nice (but stressful) win.

The Braves have had an ideal start to the season, willing each of their first two contests.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

-Are the Marlins this good or are the Nationals this bad? With their eight runs on Wednesday, the Marlins make that an even twenty runs scored for their two games. Josh Johnson was dominant in his first start and the Nationals have so far been very much like the Nationals.

-The Phillies looked sluggish once again, losing to the Braves on Tuesday. In two games the Phillies have mustered up just one run. Starters Derek Lowe and Jair Jurjjens have thrown a combined 13.2 scoreless innings.

-2008 Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum went only three innings in his ’09 debut, but it didn’t matter as the Giants put up ten runs and beat the Brewers by four.

-Josh Beckett kicked off 2009 strong with a seven inning, ten strikeout performance against the AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays. Pedoria and Varitek each hit homers and the Red Sox won 5-3.

-After getting snowed out in their Home Opener, the White Sox got three in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Royals 4-2.

-The Twins got three runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Mariners 6-5 and earn their first win of ’09.

Jerry Manuel would like to figure out how to get his players to hit with runners on base.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

1. Teams should only be playing in domes or warm weather in week one

Okay, maybe in certain instances a game will have to be played either north or east, but for the sake of the players and fans, let’s try and avoid weather like we saw in the Mets’ first game. Injuries are also much more possible, and the postponements/cancelations really take the fun out of Opening day.

2. Johan Santana was rusty but still proved why he’s well worth the money

He struck out 7 batters in almost six innings of work, but the 4 walks were very unlike Santana. Still, his arm looked very live and his changeup looked filthy. He’ll keep the Mets in just about every game. So glad we have him.

3. Murphy is going to be a player, no doubt about it

The kid can hit! Love how he pulled the ball he hit out of the park. We know he can hit to the opposite field, and teams will try and bust him in. He proved to me that he can handle it. He sees a ton of pitches and will develop into an outstanding two-hitter if he stays there. Lots to be excited about here as well.

4. Lefty Relievers could be an issue for out lefty-loaded lineup

Arthur Rhodes really made quick work of our lineup. While this is only one instance, expect to see plenty more of this. With Delgado, Church, and Schneider all hitting close to one another the righty pinch-hitting tandem of Fernando Tatis and Gary Sheffield will play a huge role late in games.

5. Ahhhhh…. A bullpen, how sweet it is

This was without question the most striking thing about game one. Get the ball to J.J. Putz and Francisco Rodriguez and we’ll win A LOT of games. Sean Green could also be thrown into the impressive looking bunch. They all are very skilled pitchers and more importantly they all have confidence. Two things this team needed badly.

K-Rod could be the addition the Mets needed to put them over the top.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

Welcome to the 2009 MLB regular season! After what felt like a never-ending spring training, the Mets are set to embark on another exciting 162-game marathon! Here’s a look at what you can expect for the upcoming week.

Monday, April 6: Season opener in Cincinnati! Expect the weather to nothing short of awful, and a postponement certainly appears possible for the 1:05 PM start. The Mets’ ace Johan Santana takes on Cinncy’s Aaron Harang. All those ditching work or playing hookie, stay tuned for weather updates.

Tuesday, April 7: Off day (or potential game depending on status of Monday game)

Wednesday, April 8: Mets continue series at Cincinnati as two of the National League’s young studs duke it out. Mike Pelfrey takes on Edinson Volquez at 7:10 PM.

Thursday, April 9: Something’s got to give in the showdown between Oliver Perez and Bronson Arroyo. Both are capable of going the distance, while both could also make an early exit. Arroyo has battled injuries and could be in jeopardy of missing the early 12:35 PM start.

Friday, April 10: The Mets head south to take on the Florida Marlins for three. John Maine takes on the young Annibal Sanchez. Who else remembers the crushing loss to the Marlins on the last day of the ’08 season? I do and I know the Mets do as well. Game is 7:10 PM start.

Saturday, April 11: Marlins’ Opening Day starter Ricky Nolasco takes on the Mets’ 5th starter Livan Hernandez in a 6:10 PM start. Do the “Sign Pedro!” roars lighten or spread like wildfire? We shall see.

Sunday, April 12: The Mets conclude their road trip with an afternoon (1:10 PM) game in Florida. Mets’ ace Johan Santana is expected to make his second start of the season against Josh Johnson. They then head home for Monday’s Home Opener against the San Diego Padres!

Here’s the week ahead. Now, Let’s Go Mets!

Citifield will be much more fan-friendly than Shea Stadium was.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

Whether you love the Jackie Robinson Rotunda or hate the outfield walls, the move to Citi Field is much more than simply diving into a newer and nicer stadium. Shea Stadium certainly had history, but of late it was nothing but bad. Even last season, the angst could be felt by fans and those around the stadium.

And so a new page in Mets’ history begins.

There’s no doubt that Citi Field is absolutely beautiful, and while Shea was near and dear to our heart, it was well… Shea. Watching the players arrive and simply walk wide-eyed last night was something new for me as a fan. They all seemed trilled about the new digs, and of course their new clubhouse.

Citi Field goes beyond amenities however, especially in this instance. It provides a new beginning for a team that has been scrutinized more than any other in sports over the last few seasons. Both the fans and the players have been craving for a fresh start. And while you can’t erase the last two years, you can put it behind you a little bit easier now that they have moved on from the site that bred a lot of the disappointment.

The start of every baseball season brings hope for all teams, but for the Mets, 2009 feels much different. When April 13th comes around, the slate will be clean, and hopes will be high. Citi Field is more than a five hundred million dollar baseball cathedral, it is a perfectly timed breathe of fresh air for the entire organization.

Ahh…A seven dollar beer will never taste so good.

Dan Warthen will have his hands full with trying to keep all of his pitchers in check.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

Without a doubt the most important moment of the Mets’ spring training came in the first positive outing from Oliver Perez since last season. Throwing 93 pitches Perez allowed only one run in 6 1/3 innings. Bigger than this, he walked only one batter and threw 63 of his pitches for strikes.

“In all honesty, he probably needed that as much as we needed to see it,” Jerry Manuel commented on the outing. And he couldn’t be more spot on.

With less than a week until opening day, Perez’s progress, or lack thereof, remained a huge burden on the team. The World Baseball Classic didn’t allow him the work he needed to prepare, and many have questioned whether Oliver came into camp in shape and ready to roll.

Regardless, his positive outing Monday night is exactly what I needed to see to feel more secure about the starting five. While Oliver will have his clunkers, I have faith that when it comes down to crunch time he will be able to get the job done.

Santana, who appears healthy, is still the best pitcher in the game. Pelfrey has pitched well so far, and while he may not be able to live up to raised expectations, he should be able to win close to fifteen games. Even the newly named fifth starter Livan Hernandez has looked good this spring.

John Maine has been roughed up, but his last start was also encouraging. He has messed with his mechanics and seems to be heading (hopefully) in the right direction. Coming off of surgery, he also appears to be healthy, and in time should return to form. While this may not be “ace” material, it should be good enough to be a positive asset on the team.

Outside of Santana, the other four starters are good, but not great. This is why Perez is so important to the team, and his potential is truly unlimited. He would probably be the Mets’ most likely candidate to throw a no-hitter because of his electric stuff. He might also be the most likely candidate to walk a dozen batters. He is a wild card, but in order for the team to succeed, they need Oliver to pitch well and throw strikes.

If he throws anything close to his most recent outing, Oliver could be back on track and the Mets’ staff should be ready for April 6th.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

It’s a dilemma that many Mets fans have each and ever year. Who and when do I take my favorite Mets players in my fantasy baseball draft? There’s plenty of differencing opinions on the issue, and perhaps it depends a lot on the seriousness of the league, but taking good Mets fantasy options at the right time can be crucial to the success of your fantasy team.

Let’s face it; we all want a Met that we like on our team. This doesn’t mean you should draft Daniel Murphy with one of your first three picks, but you should/can tie in both fantasy and fandom together, if you do it right.

Here is a breakdown of the top ten fantasy players on the New York Mets and when you might want to grab them.

1) David Wright– He’ll go in the top five in every league, and in the top three in most. He’ll have tons of opportunities, and there’s no one outside of Pujols and Hanley Ramirez that I would rather have.

2) Jose Reyes– Reyes is another “no doubt” first rounder. He does everything, and is sure to come close to 200 hits and 20 homers again this season. As a huge Reyes fan, he’d be perhaps the most entertaining player to have on my team.

3) Johan Santana– The injury was a bit of a scare, but many still consider Johan the top fantasy pitcher now that everything seems to be okay. The new bullpen will help his numbers greatly. He’s either a late first or early second round pick.

4) Carlos Beltran– I really like Beltran this year as a fantasy option. He looked great at the WBC, and his legs look they healthiest they’ve been since he joined the Mets. He’ll go anywhere from the second to third round, and is going to have a big season.

5) Francisco Rodriguez– People aren’t as high on K-Rod as some of the other closers, but I am. The Mets will give him the possibility to get more than forty saves, and like Beltran, he also looked amazing at the WBC.

6) Carlos Delgado- 30 and 100 once again? For the Mets sake I hope so, and chances are it’d be a good bet to make. Delgado is a guy that may fall to a middle round and might even be considered a veteran sleeper in a free agent year.

7) Mike Pelfrey– Mike certainly showed off some of his ability last year and has had a good spring in 2009. He’ll pitch innings and a revamped bullpen should get him a few more wins. I don’t see a letdown coming, I see a nice sleeper here.

8) Oliver Perez– Which one will you get? If Oliver plays the role of “good Oliver,” he’ll be a great fantasy option. He could move up this board drastically if he lives up to his contract, but he’s sure to have a few outings that make you scream. Wait on him, unless you’re a big time believer.

9) Daniel Murphy– If you’re in a league with fans from all over, you may make them scratch their head with this pick. Anyone who has seen this young man hit however, knows he’s destined for good things. Guaranteed at-bats mean major production from the smooth swinging lefty.

10) Ryan Church– Staying healthy is key for Mr. Church, and if he puts up the numbers similar to those pre-concussion, you’ve got a major sleeper. Certainly a viable outfielder in larger leagues, and he’s very capable of driving in close to ninety runs. Good late pick.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

It’s never to early to look ahead, especially considering the fact that the season is now less than two weeks away (oh thank you, thank you thank you). And unlike last year, it’s going to be crucial for the Mets to get off to at least a respectable start.

In 2008, the Mets underachieved until the firing of Willie Randolph. They hovered around .500 and couldn’t seem to get going. Once Jerry Manuel took control, the team played much better baseball but had already dug themselves quite a hole. Although they put themselves in good position to make the playoffs at the end of the season, the sluggish start (along with a junkyard bullpen) forced the team into a tougher situation down the stretch.

In order to avoid this situation once again, the Mets must have a good if not great April. And on paper, this should be very possible by looking at their schedule for the first four weeks. Here’s a look at the early competition and what to expect.

They open up in Cincinnati for three games and should hopefully take two out of three. Over the weekend they take on the Florida Marlins in Miami, in what could be their toughest series of the month. Expectations: 3-3

From there the team heads home for the highly anticipated Citi Field opener. They take on San Diego for three, which could be tougher than most think depending on if they face both Peavy and Chris Young, and then a much weaker Brewer team for three. Expectations: 4-2

From there it’s off to St. Louis for three and then home to take on the Nationals and Marlins for three games each. It’s hard to gauge what the Cardinals will, but at home the Mets should hopefully take both series against their NL East foes. Expectations 6-3

This would put the Mets at 13-8, and give them a good start on the 2009 season. The meat of their schedule picks up in May and June however as Atlanta and Philly are thrown into the mix. This is why starting off hot is so crucial, and they should be able to do that against what appears to be a weak crop. They may have a slip up along the way, and even 12-9 wouldn’t be a bad start.

On paper it looks good. Now let’s see what the team can do.

BY ADAM KRAMER
STACHE WRITER

March Madness. Brackets, sleepers, upsets, Cinderella’s, and plenty of college hoops. It truly is the college basketball fans’ ultimate month. But there’s also spring training going on and the season is right around the corner. For the sake of appealing to all audiences, let’s try a Stache first. If the Mets were in the tourney this year, who would they be?

Here are some of the teams in the field this year that may resemble your favorite ball club, as well as the team that without a doubt, draws the best comparison.

North Carolina– The Mets certainly have firepower like the Tarheels, but don’t go into the season as the World Series favorites as many have touted UNC in the tourney. The other component the Mets lack is an emotional leader like Tyler Hansbrough, something they hope they found in Francisco Rodriguez. Next.

Oklahoma– It’s hard not to love Blake Griffin, but unlike the Sooners, the Mets have plenty of stars. Santana is probably the closest thing the Mets have to a player like Griffin, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If Griffin is off or out, the Sooners probably lose. If Santana is out or not starting, the Mets still have enough firepower to win without him. Love me some Blake Griffin, love me some Mets more.

Connecticut– Okay, the Mets have no seven footers, so that’s one difference. UCONN and the Mets both have plenty of depth however and can beat you in a lot of different ways. Like the Mets of last year, UCONN had an injury derail what looked like a top notch team. Both teams have plenty of talent, and people respect them on potential alone. Something Oliver Perez, Daniel Murphy, Mike Pelfrey, Fernando Martinez, and Brad Holt would have to agree with.

My Pick: Memphis

This wasn’t easy but really makes the most sense. From a personnel standpoint, Memphis’ freshmen prodigy Tyreke Evans is the equivalent of a Jose Reyes. A spark plug that is capable of carrying the team at any moment. The team itself and their recent history however are more where I find comparisons. The Tigers made it all the way to the championship game last season, only to blow a seven point lead with less than two minutes remaining. While this similarity isn’t a positive one, it is something the Mets certainly share.

The coaches are also surprisingly similar in style and demeanor. John Calipari is a unique player’s coach, much like Jerry Manuel. They are both outgoing, blunt, and have been to wear their emotions on their sleeve. Not sure how “gangster” Calipari is though.

When it really comes down to it, both teams are extremely talented and both have a lot to prove. They both have felt the utter disappoint of blowing big leads in the past, but are also very capable of going on a nice run with the teams they have. The Tigers are playing with a chip on their shoulder after missing out on a one-seed, while the Mets are looking for some payback of their own.