The 2010 Mets are undefeated. Alex Cora grittily took one for the team in the bottom of the first, then Luis Castillo avoided being doubled off at first base on a ground ball, then David Wright smacked a home run just inside the right-field foul pole to give the Mets a lead they would never relinquish in their 7-1 Opening Day win over the Marlins.

Johan Santana held the powerful Florida lineup to four hits and one run over six innings, striking out five. Fernando Nieve tossed two shutout innings in relief, and the Mets tacked on a slew of late runs thanks in part to a Marlins club clearly working as a unit to make Dan Uggla feel better about his defensive inadequacy.

In the press box after the game, reporters — no kidding — compared the 2010 Mets to the 2009 Mets, and stressed how last year’s version never would have blown the game open in the sixth. They would’ve missed those opportunities. Apparently the 2009 Mets never played in strong wind.

Jerry Manuel was more realistic about the win.

“We’re out of the gate,” he said. “But we haven’t gone anywhere.”

Not technically true. The Mets are one percent of the way toward 100 wins and a sure ticket to the NLDS.

“We have to continue playing the game the right way,” said Santana. “Pitching, playing defense, and having the guys hit the ball.”

Yeah, that’s pretty much it. Pitching, playing defense, and hitting the ball are important elements of winning baseball. This is another important distinction between the 2010 Mets, to date, and last year’s squad. The 2009 Mets didn’t often pitch, play defense, or hit the ball.

Today — and at least until Wednesday — the Mets stand unblemished. A team that pitches, defends and hits.

And though someone — me, for example — could probably lament their bizarre batting order or flawed roster or warped set of organizational priorities, it seems like bad business as long as their record remains perfect.