Mets Stars Assuming Their Roles

As we inch closer to Opening Day, the Mets stars are building toward what everyone hopes will be a championship season.

Yesterday two of the biggest names put on a pitching display that is likely a foreshadowing of things to come this season.

Johan Santana pitched a 7-inning gem, needing only 75 pitches to shut down the Nationals . He struck out 6, walked 1, and gave up 1 run.

For those worried about his health, Santana answered everyone with a loud, "I'm fine!", though it was his arm that did most of the talking.

"I felt pretty good and had everything working," Santana said. "I was able to throw strikes and get ahead in the count. You're going to put yourself in a good position to throw quick innings."

The Mets closer, KRod, didn't pitch quite as well as the Mets Ace, but he got the job done.

Entering the game in the 8th inning, KRod allowed runners to reach first and third with no outs--and then he brought the magic, striking out the next two batters and inducing a ground out to end the inning.

As the first day of the season nears, the Mets team is taking shape...all-stars all over the diamond, the best pitcher in baseball fronting the starting rotation, and a record-setting closer.

Are there still questions? Of course there are. But the simple fact is that this team is built to win now, and yesterday showed us all why.