Breaking News: Play Ball! Mets’ Road Season Opener at 1 P.M. Pits Two Cy Young Winners (Photoessay)

 

 

By Nicholas Stix

As of 12:42 p.m., the Mets have yet to be mathematically eliminated from the 2019 season. For Mets fans, hope springs eternal.
 

Righthander Jacob deGrom is, by far, the team's best player. Days ago, the team signed deGrom to a contract extension that could pay him $161 million from 2020-2024
 

Shortstop Amed Rosario, left, and second baseman Robinson Cano 

At 1 p.m., the Mets will come to bat in their season opener in our nation’s capitol. The Mets’ power-hitting/heavy walking left fielder Brandon Nimmo will step in against three-time Cy Young Award winner, Max Scherzer. Rookie slugger Pete Alonso will get his first big-league start, hitting second, and aging, high-priced acquisition Robby Cano will hit third, in his Cooperstown campaign. Michael Conforto is hitting clean-up, followed by aging former Nats’ Met-killer, catcher Wilson Ramos, 2018 rookie sensation, Jeff McNeil at third base, shortstop Amed Rosario, centerfielder Juan Lagares (who is hopefully healthy again), with secret offensive weapon Jacob deGrom hitting ninth.

• Brandon Nimmo – LF.
• Pete Alonso – 1B.
• Robinson Cano – 2B.
• Michael Conforto – RF.
• Wilson Ramos – C.
• Jeff McNeil – 3B.
• Amed Rosario – SS.
• Juan Lagares – CF.
• Jacob deGrom – P.
 

 

In the bottom of the 1st, Mets ace and defending National Cy Young Award winner Jake deGrom will take the mound against a Nats lineup studded with Met-killers.
 

Norman Rockwell, 1939 

Norman Rockwell, "Bottom of the Sixth": Better pray for no rain in D.C. today!