20-2. That was the combined score of the three-game series between the defending World Series Champion Cardinals and the NL-runner-up Mets. The Mets know they can’t rewrite history, and they’ve refused to acknowledge any special significance that this season opening series may have held for them as a team, but the three-game sweep has to taste a little bit sweeter knowing that it comes against a team that they probably should have beaten in last year’s NLCS en route to their own World Series title. Also in play is the knowledge that the Cardinals openly ridiculed the Mets in their locker room following the NLCS upset, leading a derisive chorus of the “Jo-se, Jo-se” chant that Mets fans sing for Jose Reyes at Shea Stadium. Additionally, on the mound for the Cardinals last night was former-Met Braden Looper, a starting pitcher this season after pitching in relief for his entire career.

The Daily News‘ John Harper had previously noted the symmetry between ‘86 Mets’ 4-game sweep of the Cards in April of that year and the potential for the ‘07 Mets to start their year with a similar three-game sweep in St. Louis. With the sweep now complete, Harper revisits the comparison today.

“That sweep helped us believe we were better than the Cardinals, because the teams were so close in ability,” said ['86 Met pitcher Ron] Darling. “With this team it was more like the Mets were saying, ‘Okay, we’ll be there again in October. Will you?’”