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Mets third baseman Bo Bichette leads MLB in strikeouts woth eight.
The New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 at Busch Stadium on Monday night. Clay Holmes allowed two earned runs across 5.2 innings in his first start of the season. Bo Bichette drove in two runs. Devin Williams earned his first save as a Met with a perfect ninth inning.
Bichette entered Monday in a rough patch. He went 1-for-14 during the opening homestand against the Pittsburgh Pirates and heard boos from Mets fans on Sunday. He acknowledged after Sunday’s game that he had not been competing the way he wanted and was trying too hard to force something early in his Mets tenure.
Monday brought a different version of Bichette. His manager took notice.
Mendoza’s Comments on Bichette
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was asked about Bichette’s bounce-back performance after the win. His response made it clear that the slow start never concerned him.
“I’m not surprised, I’m not surprised,” Mendoza said. “I thought he was more under control, not trying to do too much. Even the one that he lined out to right field, that was a pretty good at-bat there too. That’s good to see. When he’s doing that, those are some good signs.”
Mendoza explained that he saw a player who was more under control at the plate and not trying to do too much. The approach was different from what Mendoza watched during the opening homestand.
The confidence in Bichette was never in question from the manager’s perspective. Mendoza watched the opening homestand, heard the boos alongside everyone else, and expected exactly the kind of response Bichette delivered for the Mets on Monday.
GettyMets manager Carlos Mendoza.
How Bichette Responded
Bichette answered with his bat from the first inning. Francisco Lindor tripled to lead off the game and Bichette brought him home with a groundout to the right side. In the fifth, with two outs and the game tied, he lined an RBI single to right field that put the Mets ahead for good.
Bichette acknowledged after the game that he competed better at the plate and was getting back to basics. He said he is starting to feel more like himself but recognized there is still work to do.
He finished 1-for-5 with the two RBIs, pushing his season total to three.
GettyBo Bichette of the New York Mets. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Mets’ Monday Night in St. Louis
Holmes leaned on his sinker throughout the outing and was rolling before Nolan Gorman connected on a home run that brought his night to an end. It was the third consecutive quality outing from the Mets rotation to open the season.
The bullpen was sharp behind him. Williams closed it out in the ninth with three easy outs for his first save in a Mets uniform.
Jorge Polanco served as the designated hitter for the second straight game as he manages Achilles soreness. Mendoza said the team is not concerned but wants to limit his exposure in the field this early in the season.
GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – MARCH 30: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Mets delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on March 30, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Final Word for the Mets
Bo Bichette signed with the Mets knowing what New York demands. The boos arrived in his first week. He did not flinch.
Mendoza was not worried. He saw a hitter adjusting to a new stage, not one who could not handle it. Monday’s performance began to confirm what the manager already believed.
Bichette’s numbers will grow. The approach is heading in the right direction.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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