Mar 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded against the Houston Astros to end the ninth inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Alas, the Mets will not be going 162-0 in 2025 after dropping their Opening Day clash with the Astros down in Houston on Thursday, 3-1.
Here are three takeaways from the first game of the season:
Clay Holmes shaky in starting debut
After a brilliant spring training, where he impressed the organization with his seamless transition from closer to starter, Clay Holmes got his first dose of reality against a full-strength MLB lineup.
The right-hander lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with four walks. He struggled to get his No. 1 pitch, his sinker, over the plate
He hit Jeremy Pena in the second inning, who ultimately came around to score after he loaded the bases with a single and a walk. In the third, he walked Isaac Paredes, who came around to score after two straight singles. A Luisangel Acuna throwing error allowed Houston to plate their third and final run of the day.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of growth and learning, especially here early on,” Holmes said. “I think figuring out the things that I really need to nail down, how I want to attack lineups, how I want to use the arsenal, what the prep looks like in between outings, the bullpens, the workload, what feels good, all those types of things. It’s going to be important just to assess and continue to build.”
Juan Soto’s mixed debut
The $765 million man was the Mets’ best bat for most of Thursday against the dealing Framber Valdez. The star singled in his first at-bat and walked twice, but came to the plate with runners at the corners in the top of the ninth representing the go-ahead run against Astros closer Josh Hader.
He got ahead 3-0, then took a slider down the middle and fouled off a high sinker. With the count full, he half-heartedly (and poorly) swung at a slider that plunged out of the zone.
“We all want to do something in a big spot,” Soto began. “We’re all trying to get the knock and try to bring the runs and try to help the team either way, but for me, I don’t mind taking a walk right there. I have [Pete Alonso] behind me and he’s a really good power hitter, so I think we have a good chance there with a lefty-righty matchup. He just got me in that situation.”
It’s 1 game
It’s a long season, so no need to overreact to Game No. 1.
The Mets ran into an ace who was on and could not find a way to muster much against Houston’s bullpen, either.
New York’s lineup is going to score a lot of runs this season, and Holmes will navigate through growing pains all season. Let things run their course a bit before deeming contracts as failures.
