Mets Lose to Astros 3-1 on Opening Day After Offense Struggles With Men On Base

Mets RHP Clay Holmes (Photo Credits to David J. Phillip-AP)

The New York Mets lost to the Houston Astros 3-1 at Dalkin Park this afternoon on Opening Day and dropped their record to 0-1.

Mets RHP Clay Holmes started out well with a scoreless bottom of the first, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the second.

Holmes hit SS Jeremy Pena with one out and then gave up a single to the following hitter RF Cam Smith.

Holmes then walked 2B Brendon Rodgers to load the bases and then gave up a RBI ground-out to CF Jake Meyers.

Holmes's struggles continued in the bottom of the third after he gave up a lead-off walk to 3B Isaac Paredes and two batters later, a single to 1B Christian Walker.

Holmes then gave up a RBI single to catcher Yainer Diaz and then 2B Luisangel Acuna botched a routine double play by making a poor throw to 1B Pete Alonso, which allowed another run to score.

Holmes was able to recover with a scoreless bottom of the fourth and then retired the first two hitters in the bottom of the fifth, before walking Diaz and was taken out.

His final line was 4.2 innings, five hits, three runs, (two earned runs), four walks and four strikeouts.

RHP Huascar Brazoban followed with 2.1 scoreless innings.

LHP Danny Young came in next and threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

The Met offense was held scoreless for the first eight innings, but then came alive in the top of the ninth.

RF Starling Marte led off with a single and then CF Tyrone Taylor followed with a single.

2B Luisangel Acuna walked to load the bases and pinch-hitter Hayden Senger struck out.

SS Francisco Lindor drove in Marte with a sacrifice fly, but RF Juan Soto struck out to end the game.

The offense struggled all game with men on base and was unable to deliver a timely hit with men on base,

They went 0-6 with runners in scoring position leaving 10 runners on base.

The Mets next game is tomorrow night, Friday, March 28 at the Astros at 8:10 p.m.

Game 1: Mets vs. Astros Starting Lineup and Pitching Match-Up

 Mets Starting Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor-SS

2. Juan Soto-RF

3. Pete Alonso-1B

4. Mark Vientos-3B

5. Brandon Nimmo-LF

6. Startling Marte-DH

7. Tyrone Taylor-CF

8. Luisangel Acuna-2B

9. Luis Torrens-C

The pitching match-up is RHP Clay Holmes vs. LHP Frambier Valdez

2025 Mets Opening Day Roster

 2025 Mets Opening Day Roster:

Catcher:

1. Luis Torrens

2. Hayden Senger

Infielders:

1. Pete Alonso

2. Brett Baty

3. Luisnangel Acuna

4. Francisco Lindor

5. Mark Vientos

Outfielders:

1. Brandon Nimmo

2. Jose Siri

3. Juan Soto

4. Jesse Winker

5. Starling Marte

6. Tyrone Taylor

Starting Rotation:

1. Clay Holmes

2. Kodai Senga

3. David Peterson

4. Griffin Canning

5. Tylor Megill

Relievers:

1. Edwin Diaz

2. A.J. Minter

3. Ryne Stanek

4. Reed Garrett

5. Jose Butto

6. Danny Young

7. Huascar Brazoban

8. Max Kranick

Mets Sign Pete Alonso

 

Mets 1B Pete Alonso (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-USA Today 

The New York Mets agreed to a contract with 1B Pete Alonso for two years and $54 million.

The first year is for $30 million and the second year is a $24 million player option.

It was a difficult negotiations to bring back Alonso after he turned down a seven-year, $158 million contract during the 2023 season.

He hit 34 homers last year after he had 46 in 2023 and has hit at least 30 homers in every season since he came up in 2019. not counting the shortened 60 game 2020 season.

Alonso won Rookie of the Year in 2019 and has hit 226 homers with 142 doubles and 586 RBIs over the course of his Met career.

Now that he is back with the Mets, Alonso, RF Juan Soto and 3B Mark Vientos will form of the best middle of the orders in baseball.

Mets Re-Sign Reliever Ryne Stanek

 

Mets Reliever Ryne Stanek (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets are bringing back reliever RHP Ryne Stanek to a one-year deal for $4.5 million.

Stanek came over to the Mets last year at the trading deadline in July for outfield prospect Rhylan Thomas.

Stanek struggled in the regular season with a 6.06 ERA in 17 appearances, but was able to turn it around in the postseason.

He had a 3.38 ERA in 7 games and was the most reliable option outside of Edwin Diaz and even closed out three of the games he pitched.

Stanek is known for his postseason success with a 2.98 ERA in 28 playoff innings and will hopefully have more opportunities to pitch in the playoffs this season.

Mets Sign Reliever A.J. Minter To Two-Year Deal

 

Mets LHP A.J. Minter (Photo Credits to Roberto Carlo)

The New York Mets signed reliever LHP A.J. Minter to a two-year deal for $22 million that includes an opt-out after the 2025 season.

Minter had a solid 2024 season with a 2.62 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34 1/3, but had his season end early due to a hip injury that required him to have surgery in August.

He will help the Mets have a solid left-hander out of the bullpen and they could still for more arms out of the pen.

Mets Re-sign Outfielder Jesse Winker

 

Mets Outfielder Jesse Winker (Photo Credits to Brad Penner-Imagn Images)

The New York Mets are re-signing outfielder Jesse Winker to a one-year $8 million contract.

Winker hit .243 with a .683 OPS in 44 games for the Mets after he was traded over from the Washington Nationals.

However, he hit well in the postseason with a .318 batting average (7-22) including two triples, one homer, four RBI and seven walks.

Winker brings power, a good eye as well as the ability to get on base and provide a lot energy.

He quickly became a fan favorite and will hope to follow up his postseason.

Winker will DH in place of Starling Marte who is aging as well as play the outfield.