Juan Soto has a moment, Mets win yet again
The Mets win their series opener against the Twins to give them an 11-5 record to start the season. Plus, Juan Soto had a moment that reminded you of the player he will be.
What’s up with the Mets? ⚾
The Mets won a frigid game in Minnesota on Monday night, edging out the Twins by a 5-1 score (box)
New York is now six games over .500 after 16 games – it took the Mets until their 102nd game last season to reach that same mark
RHP Clay Holmes had his best start of the season, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts over five innings
Holmes has yet to complete six innings over his first four starts of the year
RF Juan Soto broke through his cold stretch with a two-run home run (2), his first since March 28th
With the home run, Soto finally recorded his first hit with a runner in scoring position after starting the season 0-for-12 in such situations
1B Pete Alonso continued his torrid start at the plate going 2-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and a run scored
3B Mark Vientos went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored in the win – Vientos now has three RBI over his last two games played
RHP Huoscar Brazobán continued to pitch well out of the bullpen, going two innings while allowing no hits and one walk, giving him a 0.79 ERA in the early season
The Mets have not lose two games in a row over the first 16 games of the season, the longest season-opening streak in franchise history
Injury Updates 🏥
CF José Siri was revealed to have suffered a fractured tibia after fouling a ball off of his leg over the weekend – he’ll head to the 15-day injured list
Who’s Hot? 🔥
The Mets have pitched to a team ERA of 2.22 over their first 16 games of the season, the best mark in baseball. Their starters have an MLB-best 2.50 ERA, their relievers a 1.82 ERA, the second best in baseball.
Play of the Game ⭐️
Coming into the at-bat already going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position on the night, Juan Soto really needed a knock in that situation.
Having started the season 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position to start the season and just one home run over the first 15 games, Soto gave Mets fans a reminder of the type of player he can be.
On a 1-1 pitch, Soto put a charge into a 91 MPH change-up and just cleared the high wall in right field to end his situational 0-for, give him a much needed home run and putting the game away for the Mets offense.
Down on the Farm 🌾
All four Mets minor league affiliates were off on Monday.
Today’s Game 🗓️
Match-up: Mets (11-5) at Twins (5-12)
Where: Target Field — Minneapolis, MN
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (2-1, 0.63 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (0-1, 7.11 ERA)
When: 7:40 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
A much needed warm moment for Juan Soto ✍️
Despite the season only being 15 games long, juxtaposed with the 15 years remaining on his contract, there were already some fans beginning to squirm around in their chairs while watching Juan Soto.
While it’s far too early in this season to be concerned about the stats, especially when it comes to a player of his caliber, it would be safe to say that Soto hasn’t looked quite right so far. It’s been clear to see pretty that something has been just a hair off for Soto since the season began three weeks ago, as shown by the stats he’s produced in that small sample and the commentary on people who actually know a thing or two about hitting like Keith Hernandez.
Through the first 15 games of the season, Soto didn’t quite look like himself as he’d been batting .250/.409/.385 with one home run, four doubles, four RBI and a .794 OPS. While he was still getting on base at a prolific rate, that same menacing power and clutch hitting that baseball fans had come to know had yet to show up in a Mets uniform.
Prior to his at-bat in the 7th inning of Monday night’s game, Soto hadn’t homered since March 28th (the second game of the season) and was hitless for the season with runners in scoring position, having previously gone 0-for-12 in such situations to start the 2025 season.
Even the most pessimistic fans (well, maybe not the worst of the worst) would admit to you that they haven’t been worried about Soto’s offense. Everyone knows he’s going to hit eventually, the track record and talent are simply too good for that not to be the case, but it certainly would make everyone feel a little bit better to see Soto look a little more… Soto-y.
In his fourth RBI situation of the night, having previously gone 0-for-3, Soto finally had one of those moments as he looked to get a clutch knock under his belt.
Dawning a hoodie as the right fielder played in 40-degree weather yet again in this early season, Soto didn’t miss as he crushed a 1-1 change-up high in the cold Minnesota sky and just over the tall fence in right field for a two-run homer. The long ball was Soto’s second of the season, his first hit with a runner in scoring position, and the insurance the Mets needed to bust this game open in the 7th inning.
While it may not have been a dramatic, epic, signature moment for the player, Soto didn’t need to do all that – at least right now. All that was needed was a warm moment to make the chest feel nice and tingly, and to ease the anxiousness of those Mets fans who just needed to be reminded of Soto’s greatness.
Monday night gave fans that very thing: a nice moment to settle everything down, appreciate the greatness of the individual player, and enjoy what this team is doing having now gotten off to an 11-5 start despite their superstar going through his early hitting struggles.
It was also nice to see Gary Cohen finally get to call a real Soto home run this season (shoutout Apple TV+).
Around the League 🚩
The Giants continued their red hot start to the season with a 10-4 win over the Phillies thanks to home runs from Willy Adames and Tyler Fitzgerald
Braves 3B Austin Riley crushed a pair of home runs as Atlanta defeated the Blue Jays by an 8-4 score
Pirates RHP Paul Skenes and C Henry Davis became the first battery featuring two No. 1 overall draft picks as the club blew out the Nationals, 10-3
The Rays exploded for a nine-run inning as a part of their dominant 16-1 victory over the Red Sox
The Yankees hit three home runs in the 5th inning as the frame carried them to a low-scoring 4-1 win vs. the Royals
1/10th of the season as Howie says is in the books. Very good and wait till the bats warm up. Watch out NL!
Last night was a good win 💪 I wonder what the plan for CF is now? Can Acuna play center? That would be ideal. Otherwise we’ll have Azocar I guess.