Mets 7 Rockies 5

Only one bad inning for the Mets in this game. And this time, the Rox didn’t score 11 runs in that frame.

Happy New Year everyone! With the holidays now in the rear view mirror and me now settling down into my new job, it’s time to take look ahead to what 2012 might hold in store for the New York Mets.

Like most of us, I have very low expectations for the team this year. Team finances aside, the starting rotation is mediocre at best, there are several defensive liabilities in the projected starting eight, the bench is horrible, there is little speed on the current roster and they play in a tough division. Still, I will watch as many Mets games as I can this year. Now that I have a steady income again, I may even make the pilgrimage from my home in Bethlehem to Citi Field to take in a game or two. I know that there is no postseason in store for the Mets in 2012, but I can think of at least seven reasons to pay attention to the team this year:

Mets 7 Braves 5

The Mets succeed in their starring role as spoilers, taking this weekend series from the Braves and simultaneously jumping into a tie with the Nationals for third place in the NL East.

Mets 12 Braves 2

In four innings against the Wild Card leading Braves, the Mets score double the amount of runs they mustered in four games against the previously fourth-place Nationals. Go figure.

A nice outburst, but it doesn’t really take the sting out of that four-game fold-up in Flushing.

Nationals 3 Mets 2

Four straight losses for the Mets, and suddenly, the Nationals are on the verge of hopping over them in the standings.

Mets 1 Marlins 0

With this victory, the Mets have reached a significant milestone: 70 wins on the season! It also puts them one game closer to that elusive and magical .500 mark.

Speaking of wins, the Phillies have 90, and the Braves over 80. But so what?

Mets 6 Nationals 3

By taking two of three from Washington, the Mets solidify their third-place spot in the standings, separating themselves from the Nationals by four games with only 24 games to play. Ah, the excitement of September baseball!

Mets 6 Braves 0

Irene may have been on everyone’s minds, but it was Chris Capuano who blew away the Braves like a hurricane.