The hands of fate put the New York Mets back in Kansas City, Missouri, to start the 2016 season.

That’s right.

The Mets will start this season right where they left their bittersweet memories of the last one.

At first, fans scoffed at the idea that the orange and blue had to walk back into Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium so soon (literally as soon as possible) after the World Series loss. However, the players are already showing the competitive spirit they had in late-October.

Think about it: What better way to start a season than to face the one team that stood in their way last year? The team that could have been beaten?

They are getting a second chance to show Kansas City what the New York Mets can do, and that is awesome.

The Royals have reportedly claimed that they are going to seek revenge for Noah Syndergaard’s high-and-inside pitch in Game 3 of the World Series to Alcides Escobar. Syndergaard has tweeted about facing them again, seeming anxious and excited. And, Matt Harvey is ready to take the mound for Opening Day.

Needless to say, they are pumped up.

Facing the Royals again will clearly be a challenge for them. The intimidation factor of the team that took the trophy should, and probably has, set in. However, this means they need to rise up to that challenge and do what they could have done in 2015.

In past seasons, it seems as if they come out of the gate a little lax. Of course, these are not those same players, but sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the big picture when playing 162 games.

Get ready because the Mets have a lot to prove this season, starting with the newfound-rival Royals.