Soto’s Spark Not Enough as Mets Drop Series Finale in Houston
The Mets wrapped up their opening weekend in Houston with a tough 2-1 loss to the Astros, dropping the series two games to one. But this was it if there was ever a loss to squint at with optimism—especially when only three games into the regular season.
New York recorded just one hit, a first-inning double off the bat of Juan Soto, and still found themselves within a swing of tying or taking the lead in the ninth. That’s a testament to how well their pitching held up against one of baseball’s deepest lineups in a ballpark designed to punish even the slightest mistake.
Canning’s 2025 Cy Young Campaign
Griffin Canning made his Mets debut on Saturday night and delivered exactly the start the front office bet on when they brought him aboard. Mixing sliders and changeups confidently, Canning allowed just two runs over 5.2 innings, with four strikeouts, four hits, and two walks.
5.2 solid innings for Griffin Canning in his Mets debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/BQlEqcbYEK
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 30, 2025
Sure, the single he allowed to Jose Altuve was a scorcher deep in the hole, but it was gloved cleanly by brick wall corner infielder Mark Vientos on a full-body extension. While the throw wasn’t made in time, it was defensively erased immediately after.
Strike ‘Em Out, Throw ‘Em Out
Canning froze Isaac Paredes with a slider for his first strikeout as a Met, and catcher Luis Torrens fired a perfect throw to second to erase Altuve, a “strike ’em out, throw ’em out” double play that set the tone for a sharp night on the mound.
Griffin Canning strikes him out, Luis Torrens throws him out 💪
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/3Tj520BXbL
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 29, 2025
Tonight, his “only” shortcoming was a solo homer to Jeremy Peña, barely clearing the short left-field porch at Daikin Park.
Otherwise, he looked composed, efficient, and capable of keeping the Mets in games—which is all they’ll ask from their mid-rotation arms early on.
Vientos is a Literal Brick Wall in the Hot Corner
Vientos was a literal vacuum on the hot corner, starting at third base. His slick plays in the field turned potential extra-base hits into routine outs, giving Canning the support he needed. His bat hasn’t quite arrived yet, but his defense is already making a case for more regular run.
Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Pete Alonso turn 2⃣
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/NjCTV6NXW7
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 30, 2025
Soto Szn Still Cooking
Meanwhile, Juan Soto continues to carry this offense. He came out swinging with the Mets’ only hit of the night, a stand-up double to left field in the first inning. He moved to third on a flyout by Pete Alonso, but the rally died there after a Vientos punchout.
Juan Soto with a double off the left field wall!
(via @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/4hn3w4eDP4
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 29, 2025
In the ninth, he battled Josh Hader and earned a walk on six straight sliders—a veteran plate appearance that gave the Mets life. But Alonso and Brandon Nimmo couldn’t capitalize, and a hard-hit liner from Vientos found Peña’s glove to end it.
‘El Rayo’ Strikes, Fleet Feet For Mets’ Only Run
The electric Jose Siri walked, stole second, took third on a flyout, and straight-up stole a run. The second Spencer Arrighetti tossed a check-in to first, Siri broke for home and scored standing—catching the Astros flat-footed and tying the game, 1-1.
BRILLIANT BASERUNNING BY JOSE SIRI TO TIE THE GAME! 🏃
(via @Mets) pic.twitter.com/NFMmbDRddk
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 30, 2025
Starting Rotation & Queens Relief Corps.
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns addressed the skeptics of this rotation and bullpen earlier in the day.
He acknowledged the need for flexibility, breakouts, and internal development. While names like Canning and Clay Holmes may not inherently dazzle on a marquee to non-ball knowers, the vision is more profound than headlines.
Still, this game was less about what the Mets didn’t do and more about the foundation they’re building. Jose Buttó and Max Kranick followed Canning with three innings of one-run relief. Kranick, who pitched a phenomenal camp, looked as dominant as ever, needing just five pitches to clean up an inherited bases-loaded mess in his first MLB appearance in three years.
And not for nothing; allowing just six runs and two extra-base hits is pretty decent for this new Mets pitching staff. You’ve got to think big picture here.
It’s Literally Game Three… On to Miami
This wasn’t a perfect game. Francisco Lindor is still searching for his first hit of the season (0-for-11), and the offense went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
But it’s Game 3 of 162. The pitching was held against one of the game’s best and most potent lineups, and Soto looked like the superstar this offense was built around.
The Mets look to Miami with a clearer sense of identity and the start of something more substantial than the box score shows.
