Is this a dream? Should I pinch myself?

The Mets are actually driving pitches out of the park at a consistent rate. It brings tears of joy to this fan’s eye after witnessing severe power outages over the last handful of seasons. Picking up where Ike Davis left off last season, the Mets have seen a dramatic increase in their home run rate so far this season.

Not only has power hitting increased, power pitching has been evident, primarily contained in the right arm of young Matt Harvey. Harvey’s first three starts have been fantastic, as he has surrendered just two earned runs in 22 innings of work. The most impressive statistics are his WHIP and strikeouts per nine innings, which are 0.55 and 10.23, respectively. Those two numbers speak volumes about his control and his ability to fool hitters with his 95-plus mile per hour fastball and his nasty breaking pitches.

While Harvey was expected to be a solid major league starter, the biggest surprise of the young season has to be John Buck. Regarded as a throw-in in the R.A. Dickey trade, which brought blue-chip catching prospect Travis D’Arnaud and pitcher Noah Synndergard to the Metropolitans, the veteran Buck has proved to be a solid pickup. Through the first 11 games, he has hit six home runs and drove in 19 RBI, which are among the highest totals in the league. If Buck continues to produce at even two-thirds of the rate, D’Arnaud will remain in Las Vegas with the Triple-A affiliate.

I am not the type to get hyped up over a great stretch to open the season because, as most Mets fans know, things can change in an instant. The Mets have had good first-halves the past few seasons only to see the team combust after the All-Star break. As of right now, however, things are looking up. The starting pitchers other than Harvey and Jon Niese are tossups, and the closer situation is dicey. My trust in Frank Francisco (when he eventually returns) and Bobby Parnell is minimal, but as long as the offense can keep putting up a ton of runs, the closer role will be unnecessary.

I have been impressed with the offense. Buck and Lucas Duda have been supplying the power, while David Wright, Daniel Murphy, Marlon Byrd (another clutch veteran acquisition) and Ruben Tejada have been hitting at a consistent rate. The Mets are tied for the most runs scored in the National League and lead the Senior Circuit in RBI. They are second in OPS and third in batting average.

Hopefulness is the attitude of most Mets fans, myself included, and the great young talent and surprising veterans have sparked some of those feelings. But only 11 games have passed, and the competition of those games has not been of the highest caliber. Facing the Nationals and the Braves will be the first true test for the Amazin’s.

Looking to the future will either make you misleadingly happy or unreasonably disappointed. For now, the Mets faithful should take it one game at a time.