And Away We Go

So, after all these months of waiting the Mets will finally take the field this afternoon when it counts, Game One of the 2006 season against the Washington Nationals.

The batting order, a source of debate for much of the off season and Spring Training, has been announced.

Shortstop José Reyes will lead off, followed by catcher Paul Lo Duca, center fielder Carlos Beltran, first baseman Carlos Delgado, third baseman David Wright, left fielder Cliff Floyd, right fielder Xavier Nady, second baseman Anderson Hernandez and pitcher Tom Glavine.

And it looks like Brian Bannister, who won the 5th spot in the rotation over bullpen delegate Aaron Heilman, will be starting faster than anyone imagined and will take the mound for the Mets in their second game of the season.

Livian Hernandez, the Nats starting pitcher, is 10-10 with a 4.52 ERA against the Mets whilst Glavine's record and ERA in six Opening Day starts are 3-3 and 4.42. Glavine has beaten the Expos-Nationals more often than he has beaten any opponent -- 30 times. He won three of four decisions against them last season.