There’s rain in the forecast on Thursday and high winds expected on Friday, so if you’re crazy enough to consider Citi Field in March, please dress accordingly. (Oh, I see Thursday has been called already).

The Mets for their part will be wearing the ugly new uniforms designed for them by Nike. The nameplates are way too small (as is the new Bud Harrelson patch), and all of it is ironed on and not stitched like Abner Doubleday intended. Seriously I’d sooner see them return to no nameplates than participate in this farce. It just doesn’t look right.

It’s sort of the same with these Mets. I’m expecting they’ll be at or close to .500 this year. The starting pitching might hold together but might not. The lineup should put points on the board but there’s questions there too (Marte, Bader and McNeil; I think Baty has nowhere to go but up). And the bullpen is the bullpen. We also don’t know how Mendoza will manage managing.

Joining the Mets for the first time will be Zack Short in 21 (thanks guys for the updates), Harrison Bader (44), Joey Wendle (13), JD Martinez (28), and Tyrone Taylor (15). New pitchers: Jake Deikman (30); Adrian Houser (35); Jorge Lopez (52); Sean Manaea (59); Yohan Ramirez (46); Luis Severino (40); amd Michael Tonkin (51).

New staff: Carlos Mendoza (64); John Gibbons (68); Antoan Richardson (66); Mike Sarbaugh (88); and Jose Rosado (67). Sarbaugh was in 64 and took 88 when Mendoza moved up for JD Martinez.

Let’s play ball! On Friday!

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