Hope springs eternal on Opening Day, especially for Mets fans this year. 

Confidence in the 2022 squad is higher than ever and so are the expectations.

“I mean World Series or bust right?” questioned Mets fan Ryan Jones.

“We’ll be ’86 all over again,” said Tom Dul.

The days leading up to Opening Day were tough for the Mets.

News of a shoulder injury to Jacob deGrom and a sore hamstring for Max Scherzer, left new veteran manager Buck Showalter to pick an unlikely opening day starter. 

So it was 26-year-old Tylor Megill who took the mound for the Mets. 

Despite the hiccups, the fans who traveled to DC for the season opener, say they aren’t worried. 

“It is what it is. The kid is getting a shot today, we got Scherzer going tomorrow, we will be fine,” explained George Kay. “We are built to win now. Now is the time.”

The season opener allowed fans to catch some of the off season acquisitions in orange and blue for first time. 

Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar all made their Mets debut Thursday night.

Some fan favorites were back in the line up too, like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor.

Mets fans say it was an exciting off season, during which the team spent nearly $300 million on the pay roll.

“With the new ownership that Steve Cohen has brought in I feel like with the money he brings, he wants to win World Series and put a winning team on the field now so I am confident the Mets are the team to beat in the NL,“ said Josh Johnson.

But win or lose, rain or shine, Mets fans say they are most thrilled baseball is back. 

After a nearly 100-day lockout, there was doubt they would see their favorite team take the field at all this year.

And now that baseball is back they are ready for the 161 games ahead.

“So excited to be back to see the Mets to just experience baseball,” said Robin Neil.