It would be different if the Mets had some kind of an offense going. But there is nothing…absolutely nothing. Even the two players that were enjoying all-star caliber seasons – Asdrubal Cabrera and Brandon Nimmo - have tailed off significantly and have caught the same virus that has hit the rest of the team. And, truthfully, the Mets had their opening day lineup against the – I can’t even mention the name…but I guess I have to – Baltimore Orioles with the exception of Yoenis Cespedes. And although Cespedes is a huge presence, his absence from the lineup should not have caused such lack of offensive firepower that would lead to such an embarrassment against the most inept team in the game today.

But there is more to it. Jay Bruce was being heavily counted on when he was brought back. He has three home runs…and has botched a number of plays defensively. Todd Frazier is brought in and starts his Mets tenure by catching the injury bug and going on the DL for the very first time in his career. And even when he has been healthy, he really has not been the spark he was expected to be. As for expectations, what SHOULD the expectations BE for Michael Conforto? Is he the player of 2016 when he ran into the Madison Baumgartner buzz saw or is he the player of 2017 when he was on his way to a great breakout year? If the three of them were performing as expected, then Cespedes’ absence wouldn’t be so glaring. And would his presence really make THAT much of a difference?

They say that you are never as good as when you are at your best, and never as bad as when you are at your worst. The 11-1 start was a mirage, the Mets were NOT that good. But they are 16-31 since. Are they really that bad? And will the Yankees bats bludgeon them into oblivion? Or will the usual unlikely scenario happen that tends to happen during the Subway Series and shock everyone? Stay tuned.