Clay Day Doesn’t Crack: Holmes Debuts, Mets Nearly Steal One Late in 3-1 Opening Day Loss to Astros
Opening Day brought new beginnings and old lessons for the New York Mets, who dropped their 2025 season opener to the Houston Astros, 3–1.
#OpeningDay starters 😤 pic.twitter.com/iML3tOVK3o
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 27, 2025
Holmes Makes His Mets Debut on the Big Stage
All eyes were on right-hander Clay Holmes (when MLB.TV was finally up and going about 30 minutes into play)—making his first major league start since 2018 and his first ever in a Mets uniform—who took the mound on his 32nd birthday in one of the game’s most daunting assignments.
He didn’t unravel, but the start wasn’t lights out like any Mets fan could dream of. It was the kind of outing that left a lot of room for growth—which, for a reliever-turned-starter still adjusting to the role, is exactly what the Mets expected.
From Untouchable to Tested
Holmes, who was untouchable in spring training, found that live bullets on Opening Day hit a little differently. He stayed in for 4.2 innings, giving up five hits and three runs (two earned), with four walks, four strikeouts, and a hit batter. He battled early nerves and command issues, and while he navigated multiple jams, the free passes ultimately caught up to him.
“I think the big thing was the walks,” Holmes said after the game. “They weren’t good walks. I think part of it was maybe I’m thinking too much instead of just attacking.”
Clay Holmes, Wicked 82mph Sweeper. 🤢
Altuve’s gonna need a longer bat. pic.twitter.com/xXoTbSIT9L
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 27, 2025
That hesitation, he admitted, was partly due to the newness of it all: a full arsenal to trust, a lineup he had to face multiple times, and the sheer difference in intensity from spring camp.
“It’s a different level of endurance, a different approach to the game,” Holmes said. “The more I get under me, the more I’ll start to feel that and handle it.”
He relied almost entirely on his sinker. The changeup stayed holstered. Holmes was able to adjust to the plate umpire’s zone, which was generous only to hitters.
Clay did well. Ump’s zone is the size of a legume https://t.co/svT3fTv69o
— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) March 27, 2025
Acuña’s Error Costs a Run—But Doesn’t Define His Opening Day Start
The Astros plated one in the second on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice and added two more in the third. In the third, Isaac Paredes walked and scored on a Yainer Diaz single and a backbreaking throwing error by Luisangel Acuña, whose toss on a would-be double play ended up in the dugout, gifted Houston another.
But Holmes limited the damage beyond that, flashing resolve in the fourth by escaping a two-on, one-out jam with a slick 3-2-1 double play turned by Mark Vientos, Acuña, and Pete Alonso (who looked great with fluid swings and laid off the low and away slider today).
The Mets turn the double play!
Vientos ➡️ Acuña ➡️ Alonso pic.twitter.com/fQk1dlFK9g
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 27, 2025
Brazobán Shuts the Door
He retired the first two in the fifth, then walked his final batter and got the hook. Huascar Brazobán followed with 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out two and giving the Astros nothing to build on. It’s a smooth debut for a last-minute roster addition.
Nimmo Ends Eighth-Inning Push with Flyout, Mets Still Within Striking Distance
New York sparked some life in the eighth after Astros reliever Bryan Abreu issued three straight two-out walks to load the bases. But Brandon Nimmo jumped on the first pitch and flew out to center, ending the rally. He finished with one of the Mets’ four hits on the day.
Acuña Battles Back Against Hader
Offensively, the Mets pushed for a rally in the ninth, stymied by Astros ace Framber Valdez, who scattered four hits and two walks over seven shutout innings and is seemingly impossible to lift one off of.
Marte and Taylor singled. Acuña stepped in with no outs and worked a 12-pitch walk off Josh Hader—ten sinkers, two sliders, all fought off or taken. Francisco Lindor lifted a sac fly to cut it to 3–1 and bring up Just Soto.
What an at-bat by Luisangel Acuña!
He walks on the 12th pitch of the at-bat and Brett Baty loves it 👏 pic.twitter.com/XwzKHag8j5
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 27, 2025
Soto Steps In, Nearly Changes Everything—”Looks Human”
In his Mets debut, Soto reached base three times (1-for-3, two walks) and came to the plate in the ninth as the potential go-ahead run. After falling behind Josh Hader 3-0, he worked the count full but struck out swinging on a filthy slider that truly dove out of the zone.
Juan Soto is officially a New York Met 💪 pic.twitter.com/ff2S8AwJIY
— MLB (@MLB) March 27, 2025
Opening Day Loss Not a Setback
That last sequence summed up the day: close, tense, but not quite enough. Defensively, the infield settled in after Acuña’s error, turning two double plays behind Holmes. But the Mets loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth but went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 men on base. Despite late opportunities, they couldn’t convert.
Even the Series: Megill Gets the Ball in Game 2
Tomorrow, the Mets hand the ball to Tylor Megill with a chance to even the series. Megill, who put together a solid spring, has the opportunity to show he belongs in this rotation beyond a placeholder role. His fastball looked lively in Florida, and his revamped slider gives him a more complete arsenal to attack a dangerous Houston lineup.
Holmes’ outing confirmed that this rotation is a work in progress—but it’s a foundation. The moment wasn’t too big for Holmes, and if he can cut the walks and expand his pitch usage, there’s reason to believe in his long-term value.
Baseball is Back, 161 More To Go
The same goes for this team. They bent, didn’t break, and nearly stole it late. It wasn’t the win they wanted—but it’s a start. Thank God baseball is back.
— Gab (@gabrielleraucci) March 27, 2025
