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On Sunday night, the New York Mets’ season opened a lot like it ended in 2015 — in a heartbreaking fashion to Kansas City. After trailing 4-0 in a game for which the Kansas City Royals seemed to make all the perfect plays, the Mets rallied back with three runs in the eighth inning before David Wright and Yoenis Cespedes would strike out in the ninth with the tying run on third in a 4-3 Opening Day deficit.
Let’s not forget it’s a long season. There are still got 161 games to go.
Here are five positives the Mets can take away from their loss to the Royals on Sunday night.
5. Juan Lagares Is Finally Healthy
Credit: Getty Images5. Juan Lagares Is Finally Healthy
The same guy that won a gold glove award in 2014, Lagares, was visible not himself in the field last season. He couldn’t make any of the throws he had the previous year. But Lagares spent this offseason getting his elbow healthy, and it appeared he is back to himself. Lagares threw a 95.8-mile-per-hour strike from center field to third base against the Royals, nearly nailing Omar Infante at third. Lagares' defensive ability is vital to the Mets.
4. Matt Harvey Looked Good
Credit: Getty Images4. Matt Harvey Looked Good
Although Harvey walks out of Sunday night 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA, the numbers aren’t descriptive of how he pitched. Harvey gave up a run in the first, but it was after a Yoenis Cespedes error in left. Harvey didn’t lose his cool until the sixth inning, where he gave up a couple of blooper singles and exited after 5.2 innings. He gets pegged with the loss, but Harvey kept his pitch count at 83 and looked decent in his first start.
3. They Came Back
Credit: Getty Images3. They Came Back
Most baseball fans felt like turning off the TV after the seventh inning, with the Mets down 4-0 to the Royals and the daunting back of the Kansas City bullpen (Soria, Davis) entering the game. But New York rallied back with the three runs in the eighth inning to make this one a game. Also, the Mets had the tying run on third with the heart of their order up. It’s a long season and the Mets’ comeback against the Royals’ bullpen is encouraging.
2. Michael Conforto Was Excellent
Credit: Getty Images2. Michael Conforto Was Excellent
The Mets drafted Conforto out of Oregon State in the first round in 2014 and are looking for their 23-year-old young outfielder to take his game to the next level this season. Conforto certainly got off on the right foot Sunday, going 2-for-2 with two walks and a pair of doubles. If Conforto is able to develop into the star power hitter he is expected to be this season, it could take the Mets’ lineup to the next level.
1. Jerry Blevins Pitched Perfect
Credit: Getty Images1. Jerry Blevins Pitched Perfect
After missing almost all of last year, the Mets re-signed LHP Jerry Blevins to a one-year deal in the offseason and especially after the suspension to Jenrry Mejia, he figures to be a key part of the bullpen. In his return to regular season action, Blevins pitched a perfect frame for the Mets in the eighth. If Blevins can produce the way the Mets need him to out of the bullpen, it could be huge for their relief depth behind Jeurys Familia.
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