Dove - Did The Mets Field Their Opening Day Lineup on Thursday?

Minus the pitcher (Bartolo Colon pitched on the minor league side, so as not to show more of his stuff to the Nat, in preparation for next week), that lineup on Thursday sure looked like a team that management may want on the field, and in the correct batting order, come March 31st. 

 Like it or not, we may have just seen our starting New York Mets. 

 Hopefully, the very first inning is not a sign of things to come. EY Jr. starts off doing his job, using his feet to get on base. Murphy then knocks out another steady hit. The Captain then, even in an out, moves the runners over...... Only to then watch Granderson strikeout (first of 3 on the day), and CY popout. The rest of the game seemed to go as advertised for the Mets. 

 Even with a sprinkling of minor leaguers, the Mets pitching again comes through in the beginning, only to see the bullpen give up 3 late inning runs. And the hitting..... well.... there were some hits, but none really consecutive, and not extra base hits. But I still took positives out of the game. 

 EY Jr., like him or not, had a three hit game. Ike Davis...... wait for it..... managed two hits, both on 0-2 counts!!! Ruben Tejada got plenty work out there at shortstop, and made all the plays. And Familia, who did give up those 2 runs in his second inning of work, did also continue throwing strikes. And with the Mets defensive outfield, i'll take my chances with balls pot into play, rather then simply walking. 

As far as this being a possible stating lineup, of course that makes Lagares and Duda the odd men out. In fact, I'm actually worried that Lagares highlight reel catch in center on Thursday will actually hurt his every day starting chances. What he basically did was prove that he can come into a game, ice cold, in the 8th inning, and immediately save a run from scoring. And so, if management continues to truly believe that he can't consistently hit MLB pitching, then he may end randomly spot starting, relieving guys to rest, and doing his best. 

 As for Duda, to continue my over evaluation of one stinking game, he came in as a pinch hitter, which management may want to see if he is capable of being who he is, on the bench, which is a guy who can pitch hit, and either crack a homer, or walk to get on base. During an in-game interview, Terry Collins basically alluded to the idea of simply letting all 4 outfielders mix and match, game to game, in the lineup, and let time factor into who eventually becomes the 3 every day guys. I guess same goes for first base. And, as for Terada, those in-game interviews with Collins and Sandy simply smell of Tejada being the guy (I guess, at least until June, if 'you know who' is still waiting for his payday'. To be honest, I would not be that upset if Thursdays lineup was the opening day lineup. I would prefer to see Lagares in CF every night, but it is what it is. As for the Duds/Davis dilemma, its the same. Duda walks more. Davis still has a 32 homer season under belt. Daniel, as always, looks pretty solid. 

 David Wright is David Wright. Hopefully Granderson will sprinkle in more homers with those runners on base, to go along with those pending strikeouts. And Chris Young has looked great all spring, so maybe give him a chance, and stop arguing about the size of his one year deal, FDA, though still not hitting, seems to still be catching a good game, and placing the mitt where it needs to be to get those close strikes. (plus, all that damn time on top MLB prospects lists must mean he's gonna hit eventually) So, again, I'll accept that Thursday lineup, if that's the lineup, and I say they have as good a chance as anybody to win on opening day (especially if Gee keeps up what he has going on right now).