Final Score: Marlins 8, Mets 1

To summarize this crappy loss, the Mets offense was non-existent (again), the bullpen looked like crap (again), the defense was horrendous (again) and the starting pitching was thoroughly disappointing. It was a total stinker in every single way.

No Offense: The pathetic Mets lineup managed to get three hits. The first hit was a Lucas Duda solo homer in the bottom of the 5th inning. That homer represented the only run. The rest of the game was filled with Mets striking out (13 times). Over the first five innings the Mets made Adam Conley look like Tom Glavine in his prime. Then the Marlins pen combined to pitch four innings, giving up two hits and striking out sevem. Yoenis Cespedes and Wilmer Flores both went 0 for 3 and struck out twice. Neil Walker struck out four times. Jose Reyes didn’t start this game, but even he managed to sneak in a quick K in his pinch hitting appearance.

Shake Things Up: It’s cold and early in the season. It’s not time to make sweeping judgements about how this offense will perform over the course of the year. But the reality is we already saw this lineup last year, and we know that it’s feast or famine. In the short term, Terry needs to get Michael Conforto into the lineup and possibly T.J. Rivera. Let’s shake things up for a few days.

Rough Start: Robert Gsellman left balls up in the zone and the Marlins hit everything hard. In the first inning Gsellman gave up a one out double to Miguel Rojas and then with two outs Giancarlo Stanton singled to bring the first run home. In the second inning he gave up a moon shot homer to Marcell Ozuna. In the third inning J.T. Realmuto hit a “triple” (see horrendous defense section below) and Miguel Rojas drove him in on a sac fly. Gsellman also ran into major trouble in the 5th inning, but Terry stuck with him and he was able to strike out Marcell Ozuna with runners on second and third and two outs. It may have been a poor start, but it was nice to see him finish strong and keep the team in the game.

Horrendous Defense: In the third inning, J.T. Realmuto hit a ball to center field and Curtis Granderson straight up misplayed it. It should have been an out and instead it was a triple. It’s a reminder that Curtis does not belong in center field at 36 years old. The Grandyman also made an excellent catch in center field to end the 6th inning, but in reality he was just playing too deep and was able to make the catch at the last second. After the diving catch I saw the look on his face and it said “I can’t do this for 162.”

In the 4th inning, Wilmer Flores butchered a ground ball to third base for an error.

The other obvious defensive liability worth noting is Jay Bruce. I feel like he had a ball hit to him in every inning of the game and every time it happened I was holding my breath. He really stinks out there.

Bullpen Rocked: Josh Smoker pitched a strong sixth inning and Jerry Blevins retired a couple of batters but Hansel Robles, Paul Sewald, and Rafael Montero looked tired and awful. Hansel Robles walked two batters in the 7th inning and gave up a run. Once it was 4-1 I felt like Terry was waving the white flag when he brought in newly called up Paul Sewald to pitch the 8th inning. But after Paul gave up two runs, Terry seemingly abandoned the plan and decided to use the same overtaxed relievers yet again. Blevins came in and then he turned to Rafael “Dead Arm” Montero and even Fernando Salas pitched in a freaking blowout. Terry stinks.

Stray Notes

Dead Wrist: Asdrubal Cabrera was flexing his wrist after his first and second at-bat. He stayed in the game, but I’m sure he’ll need a season ending wristectomy.

Schedule BS: The Mets have 32 consecutive games against the NL East to start the season?!? Is MLB serious? Why the hell would they cram all of the divisional games in April and May? The scheduling people suck. Well I guess the entire season is on the line in April. No pressure. 

Today: Hopefully Noah Syndergaard can help us salvage one game at home against the Marlins. Talk about a pathetic start to the season. If Noah’s blister comes into play tonight Panic City will be in flames six games into the season. Also, blister rhymes with Fister. So we should probably sign Doug Fister.