April 3, 2008 - If only the New York Mets could have had Johan Santana last September. Santana baffled the Florida Marlins for seven innings and guided the Mets to a 7-2 victory on Opening Day.

"It's always good to get the first one out of the way," Santana told The New York Daily News. "I wasn't trying to put anything in my head or anything. It's just another game, another Opening Day. A different uniform. A lot of expectations. But I felt good."

Santana, who struck out seven and walked two, allowed only two runs in his Mets debut.

Even though the Mets lost Tuesday night, Santana’s performance on Opening Day has to have Mets fans feeling pretty good. If he can have those types of outings in big situations for New York, the Mets should be in good shape. With Pedro Martinez out four-to-six weeks with a hamstring injury, Santana will certainly be looked upon to provide the same types of outings.

If Santana can continue to pitch into the later innings like he did on Opening Day, it will give the Mets bullpen rest. Rest will be needed if Jorge Sosa is brought into the starting rotation because of Pedro’s injury, which is one scenario that manager Willie Randolph could explore. It will also be key later in the season when pitchers start to wear down.

Fantasy wise, owners couldn’t have asked for more. Seven strikeouts and a low ERA is not only what the Mets need; fantasy owners could sure use it, too after using first or second round picks on Santana. While it is only one outing and it was the Marlins (they’re going to be bad if you hadn’t heard), the Mets and fantasy owners should be excited. His performance is the exact reason the Mets and you as an owner got him.

Santana’s win and the Mets strong start are a good way for players and fans to forget about last season’s collapse. While Wright said the win wasn’t about last season’s meltdown, he told the New York Daily News it was important for this year’s team to get off to a good start.

"I think it was important - not because of last year, but just to prove that putting all of us together, we can go out there and put together the fireworks that we did tonight," Wright said.