1. e4 c6 2. e5 against the Caro-Kann?

Is 2. e5 really a good move against the Caro-Kann Defense? The point being:

I think I saw this watching Arena Kings on ChessTV.

It just seems like white is unnecessarily losing a move in the opening. 

No, it's not good. People often play bad openings in blitz games, or higher rated players experimenting against weaker players

If Black’s trying to exploit it, 2...d5 doesn’t make too much sense, since White could then transpose back into one of the main variations with 3.d4. 2...d6 would give it independent value.

It reminds me of the offbeat Alekhine line 1 e4 Nf6 2 e5 Ng8, where Black intends to target the advanced white e5-pawn while refusing to make a further target of his king's knight. Here Black has the same position without having lost the two tempi. Yes, 2...d6 looks like the most logical continuation.

Advancing pawns across the mid line is typically bad in the opening. Not only are you moving a pawn twice, but in response to an early e5 by white, moves like d6 let black recapture with tempo because black develops as he recaptures.

A good beginner-level question though.

I play 2..d6 and I have never ran into any problems in this line.

It coesn't matter cuz no 1 playz the caro kan

Uh, I've had it played many times against me.

thank you

Yes, it is a good move. It's more popular among higher rated players because white gains more space.

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It's not, 2.d4 is played first.

You're correct. I misread the original post.

I would tend to agree way more with 2. d4. Why waste an opening move?

The push variation with 2. e5?! is not recommended.

Yeah but you could try out traps that a lot of people fail to see