Image via New York Mets
Worst April Fools Day joke ever.
As we’re all well aware of at this point, the Mets’ opening series against the Nationals in Washington, DC was postponed due to a confirmed four positive COVID-19 cases among the Nats’ roster.
Just a not-so-friendly reminder of the very real conditions we’re still all living in. These types of things don’t simply go away overnight. Thirteen months in, we know that.
We’ve waited all winter. What’s waiting another few days gonna do?
Is it disappointing? Sure. Deflating? Most definitely. Are we overwhelmed with envy watching every other fan base live out the excitement of Opening Day while we wait around? Of course. But good things are always worth the wait.
With the series cancellation, the Mets’ rotation now falls back into its original order, with Jacob deGrom starting the team’s opener on Monday at 7:05 PM EST in Philadelphia and lining him up to take the ball again in the team’s fifth game.
That course of action hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Mets skipper Luis Rojas informed the team’s press corps on Friday that the scenario is on the table and the team will check with deGrom before etching it in stone.
In the meantime, Marcus Stroman and left-hander David Peterson will start the team’s final two games in Philly with Taijuan Walker taking the hill for the Mets’ home opener on Thursday versus Miami.
A plan is in place. That’s all that matters. Stay fresh, stay focused, and for goodness sake, stay healthy.
J.D. Davis spoke with the media on Friday, acknowledging there was “a little disappointment” once the news broke of the postponements, but added a bright side to the equation, telling reporters, “a couple of games got postponed, the season is still going on, we’re still all together and ready to play baseball”.
That’s *checks notes* accurate. Despite the unfortunate news out of the Nats’ organization, the baseball world will keep turning.
We saw last season how funky these situations can be. Just when the Mets were heating up last year — most notably, Pete Alonso — their season was put on a COVID pause in August and all momentum was virtually lost.
As Davis intimated, this is simply a bump in the road. The progress made in the clubhouse this spring with regards to team-building cannot be lost on this unexpected hiccup. And it likely won’t be.
This team is built to withstand just about anything — depth to protect from injury and underperformance, as well as the mettled core of this team who, in recent years, has come together in their own right.
A series postponement won’t derail this train. If anything, this unique opportunity could hypothetically bring the team together even closer.
The energy running through the fanbase following the Mets extending the contract of superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor on Wednesday night, with a new season upon us, no less, is likely just as palpable among the organization, right down to those guys in the clubhouse.
They’re likely just as excited to get out there as we are to watch them play. This is the vibe, friends. Chomping at the bit. LFGM.
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