Last Tuesday Mets ticket holders visited an opening game for the last time in the old Shea Stadium. Feelings about the event seem to be mixed—with both good and bad memories stirred up at the historic event.

On one hand, Mets fans have seen a lot of games at this ballpark. For anyone who’s a fan of the team, it’s likely a place of nostalgia. Think of all of the dates. Think of all of the children introduced to the drama of the ballpark in that venue. Think of the great players, and great games, both successful and disappointing.

But some people would like to dwell on the disappointments. Just last season it was the home of a total melt down against Philadelphia. Not a good memory. MVP, Jimmy Rollins will be back in the stadium to remind them of this bitter memory.

On top of that, it’s not a very exciting venue architecturally. Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post doesn’t mince words when he says, “It’s ugly, sterile and horribly outdated.”

In the end, what do we really hope for? A winning season of course. Maybe even a championship. I don’t know, it’s too great to hope for. But no one’s going to tell the Mets players this. They better be playing to win.

The Mets won the National League Title last year, but they’ll have a much more difficult time defending that title this coming year.

The New York Times says, “The Phillies upgraded their rotation. The Braves bolstered their bullpen. The Marlins still have loads of young pitching.”

The Mets haven’t been to the World Series since 2000. What’s their true chances of being the winner this year?

According to a recent computer analysis, very good. The Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm or PECOTA analyzed the projected player statistics, calculated runs and scores for all of the teams, and then decided what the teams’s records will be. In this case, the PECOTA calculated that the Mets will be in first place in the National League East. Second place will be the Braves, and third place will be the Phillies.

With the Mets Rotation of Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, John Maine, Oliver Perez, and Orlando Hernandez, they are the team to beat in the league. This is good news for NY fans, hoping that one of their teams makes it to the World Series this year. So make sure that you buy your Mets tickets now, and be ready for a season of high expectations.