Why is it that the Mets have such a hard time with the Marlins? Even when they’re a 3rd place team, the friggin fish just seem to do better against the Mets than against anyone else.

That being said, the Mets weren’t helping their own cause as much as they could, either. Sure, they battled back to tie twice, but 14 men left on base and a paltry 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position? That’s a weak link, and HoJo’s got his work cut out for him.

It’s still way too early to worry, though, even about the relief pitching. They weren’t exactly lights-out tonight, but no bullpen is completely immune to losing a game once in a while. More accurately, though, I felt like the Marlins definitely went out and won that one.

Nice to see Sheff work the walk (even though ball 4 was intentional), I liked what we saw from both Green and Reed, and Beltran played like an MVP tonight.

As an aside, SNY’s Kevin Burkhart interviewed Cantu after the game and I hate to say it, but I like him. He’s affable, uses words like “havoc” (I’m always impressed when foreign-born ballplayers work to gain control over the english language; over the last few years, we’ve been blessed with several in Johan, Delgado, Beltran, Frankie, and the poster child, Pedro). Plus he is one hell of a player. If Delgado doesn’t come back next season and Cantu’s available, I’d love to see him in blue and orange.

Disappointing loss but we can still salvage the weekend.

Cole Hamels got his first 2009 start out of the way in Colorado, where he pitched like a choke artist.

First the good news: the Mets’ offense scored another six runs and the bullpen was once again being stingy.

Now for some optimism: Ollie doesn’t make a mistake to Votto and maybe, just maybe, the Mets win that one 6-5.

What’s done is done, it’s April, there are still 159 games to play, and other than an outing that went crappy when the wheels came off Ollie’s cart, things are looking pretty good for the Mets.

I’m just pissed that the Marlins opened the season against the blasted Natties. Of COURSE they’re gonna start out 3-0 and ruin our chance at going wire-to-wire.

Whatever. They’ll learn to lose this weekend, won’t they?