Picking up where he left off in the 2006 playoffs, Oliver Perez started off his 2007 season shutting down the Atlanta Braves. Of course, 11 runs of support from the Mets offense doesn’t hurt. Perez went seven strong innings, giving up five hits, zero walks, and striking out six. He also didn’t do too badly at the dish, scoring two runs with a base hit.

The Mets would go on to rout the Braves 11-1, highlighted by two triples from Jose Reyes and two scoreless innings from the combination of rookie relief pitcher Joe Smith and hard-throwing Ambiorix Burgos. The Mets offensive barrage included doubles from Carlos Beltran, Moises Alou, Jose Valentin, and a pair from David Wright.

After the game Perez said, “I think last year I was thinking too much…I just try to throw strikes today.”

The Mets are now 4-0 to begin the season for the first time since 1985. If John Maine and Perez can hit their stride this year, the pitching rotation could make the Mets the most dangerous team in the majors, especially when you consider their explosive lineup.  The Mets blazing hot offense has outscored the opposition 31-3 thus far this season.

On Saturday, the Mets and Braves tangle again at Turner Field with a match up of two future Hall of Famers in former Brave Tom Glavine and current Brave John Smoltz. If Perez, who was 3-13 last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates and briefly with the Mets can turn his game around to when he dominated in 2004 and have the longevity of Glavine and Smoltz, who knows - the Hall of Fame isn’t out of the picture for this 25-year-old.  But, that’s the future, which is unknown.  However, there is no questioning that Perez pitched like he was Cooperstown ready Friday night.