The pain ends today.
Yes, the Mets beat the Astros 2-1 Saturday night in dramatic fashion at Citi Field, when Lucas Duda lined a two-run, two-out, walk-off home run in the ninth inning with his parents in attendance from Southern California.
“What a blessing,’’ Eleanor Duda told The Post, noting she was filming the at-bat when her son lined the ball down the right-field line.
It’s a nice story, but doesn’t detract from this season’s failure.
Here are nine reasons, one for each position, to believe the Mets will be better in 2015 than they were this 78-83 season, their sixth straight season finishing well under .500, their eighth straight season not making it to the postseason, their 28th straight season not winning the World Series.
1. Starting pitching
Next season it all starts 60 feet, 6 inches away with starting pitching. Jacob deGrom was the find of the year. His coolness under fire is what the rotation needs to push Matt Harvey. Zack Wheeler is only getting better. A little more fastball command will put him over the top.
Those upset with Harvey being at Yankee Stadium to say goodbye to Derek Jeter, get over it. Harvey has a winning passion. It doesn’t hurt to show respect to the Yankees shortstop. If more Mets had that kind of winning passion, those losing years would not have been as lengthy.
Harvey gives the Mets a backbone. Bartolo Colon won 14 games. With more young arms developing like lefty Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard, this rotation will be fun to watch.
2. David Wright
Wright must become a feared hitter again. He batted .269 with a career-low in home runs (eight) and OPS (.698). A healthy shoulder will help.
3. Fewer Ks
The Mets need to cut down strikeouts. Wright struck out 113 times. The Mets as an organization have to realize that putting the ball in play is more important than ever. Curtis Granderson owns 141 Ks while Duda is at 134. Duda leads the team with 88 RBIs and 29 home runs and without the Ike Davis sideshow, Duda should be in a much better place as a hitter heading into spring training. Daniel Murphy had another solid season and his bat has trade value. Dilson Herrera is on the move.
4. Joy division
The NL East works in the Mets favor. Only the Nationals are any good. The rest of the division stinks. Battle Washington and clean up on the rest and the Mets will be in a good place.
5. An actual bullpen
A bullpen without retreads is a successful bullpen. The Mets made the mistake the last few seasons bringing in relievers who were well past their prime. The number of games lost by those broken-down arms cost the Mets dearly, especially early in the season. Losing the lead late in games crushes a team. Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia give Terry Collins arms to work with at the end of games, and when Familia learns to elevate his fastball at key moments, he will be a force.
6. Improved shortstop
There must be a consistent shortstop on this team in 2015. Ruben Tejada needs a change of venue. It’s been an issue for years. The Mets finally realize that.
7. Raised expectations
Sandy’s proclamations. Once Sandy Alderson’s challenge of 90 wins became another Mets sideshow, it was not a good thing, but trying to raise expectations within was a good thing, and in 2015, winning is expected from the beginning. Alderson doesn’t have to put a number on it this time — there is one letter, not number, that matters — W. If the Mets don’t win, the buck stops with Collins and Alderson. It’s cut and dry from the first pitch of the season.
8. Catching on
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud is reaching his mighty potential. D’Arnaud came to the realization he shouldn’t try to guide the ball with his swing. Let it rip.
9. Better Citi
The fences are coming in a bit, again. Every foot closer to the plate helps in a ballpark that destroys a hitter’s confidence. The Mets are inching closer to success, but major strides on offense must be made.