“Down goes Goliath” Probably not the sentence you’d expect when talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club, a group that hasn’t won a playoff series since 1979 (NINETEEN SEVENTY NINE!!) and has only had 4 winning seasons since the advent of the Beanie Baby (1993).

But on Thursday Paul Skenes finally proved to be human, as the Mets pieced up the reigning Cy Young award winner to the tune of 5 runs before an unprecedented exit after just 2/3rds of an inning.

Skenes threw only 37 pitches before manager Donnie Kelly decided to go to the ‘pen. It wasn’t the WORST outing of all time, as Skenes walked 2 and allowed 4 hits — two of which were a result of DISASTROUS defense by center fielder Oneil Cruz

So while Skenes was NOT his usual Herculean self, it was hardly cause for much alarm. And Skenes himself knows that he simply has to take what happened in Flushing, Queens and poetically… flush it

Superman proves he can also be Clark Kent. I have no doubts

But o ensure I am not taking anything away from a Mets team that displayed some amazing plate discipline — drawing 9 free passes en route to an 11-7 victory in the season opener — allow me a second to praise that lineup.

It isn’t quite stocked with 9 Bash Bros… but what it is comprised of? Nine TOUGH outs.

We knew of Lindor into Soto into Bichette, but Baty-Semien-Benge-Alvarez has a chance to be the toughest 6-9 to navigate of any lineup in baseball

Coupled with other newcomers in Luis Robert and Jorge Polanco. Look out for the Mets to make a splash in a potentially exciting NL East race.

I saw a stat today that absolutely BAFFLED me

You’re right Jayson. WHAT?!?!?

The Phillies have been playing baseball since 1883. And this is their FIRST save at home on opening day? Absurd.

It is not a secret to anyone that follows the game that the Phils have struggled to field a competent bullpen over the last few years, but last years deadline put an end to the nightmare that has been closing out baseball games at the Bank. The Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran from the Twins - paying a steep price in former first round pick Mick Abel - and he rewarded their bet with a 2.18 ERA over 23 appearances, racking up 16 saves in the process.

Opposite of closing games: starter Cristopher Sanchez continued his utter brilliance he showed last season — putting up 6 shutout innings of 3 hit baseball with TEN strikeouts and ZERO walks. Marvelous

Meanwhile, Schwarber did Schwarber things

And Alec Bohm also joined the party. Not just in hitting a three run tater to seal the 5-3 Phillies victory over the Rangers. But off the diamond, news broke that Bohm is SUING HIS PARENTS over failing to manage his money

It should come to no surprise that athletes continue to fumble their generational wealth, you would just hope that it wasn’t the previous generation blowing that for you.

Just a little familial drama happening in the city of brotherly love.

Much to the further chagrin of Pirates fans everywhere (what else is new) the middle infield rookie class is looking just PEACHY without Konnor Griffin even in the mix yet.

JJ Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle balled out in their MLB debuts

The latter put up a 4 hit day, featuring 2 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI en route to an 8-2 win over the Padres

While the Cardinals prodigy hailing from Mars, Pennsylvania hit a dead center nuke on a pitch a ball and a half off the plate

Not to get too ahead of myself while there’s 161 more games to go for each of these young lads - as well as for the rest of major league baseball - but it’s safe to say we have some clear and obvious leaders in the clubhouse for their respective Rookie of the Year votes.

And while I’m here tooting their horns, I’d be remiss not to mention both were my predictions to win said awards in yesterday’s season preview!

Join the bandwagon, we’re happy to have you.