ST. LOUIS — Carlos Mendoza is excited to see a fresh and healthy Kodai Senga on the mound for the first time in the 2026 season.
Senga has seen his last two seasons ravaged by injuries, with shoulder and calf strains costing him all but one game in 2024 and a hamstring injury derailing a strong start in 2025.
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Senga will have a chance to open his fourth season with the Mets on a strong note against the Cardinals at 7:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium.
“Now I have a better understanding when he talks about mechanics, it’s all about health,” Mendoza said. “The way he’s moving on the mound, his deliver with the way the ball is coming out. There’s a lot to watch. I’m excited to watch him today.”
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Jon Koons, of Englewood, juggles in front of Citi Field before the start of the game, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Jon Koons, of Englewood, juggles in front of Citi Field before the start of the game, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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Will and Anna Winning, of Florida are shown in front of the Home Run Apple, in front of Citi Field, Thursday, March 26, 2026. The couple traveled to New York for Opening Day.
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Mr. Met is shown outside the subway to greet fans, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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See best photos of NY Mets’ Opening Day vs Pirates at Citi Field
Mets fans arrive to Citi Field on Opening Day, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
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People are shown in front of Citi Field as they protest Steve Cohen and a gambling casino, Thursday, March 26, 2026.
A season ago, Senga was 7-3 with a 1.39 ERA in the first half before the injury. He was 0-3 with a 6.56 ERA and was relegated to the minor leagues to work on his mechanics upon his return.
As Senga debuts and the Mets look to capture their second straight series to begin the year, follow along for our updates and analysis:
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Bo Bichette doubled off first base to end threat
The Mets were within striking distance in the top of the sixth inning after Juan Soto doubled and Bo Bichette walked to lead off the frame, running the Cards’ Andre Pallante from the game.
But when Gordon Craceffo came on, Luis Robert Jr. flew out to center field and Jared Young hit a line drive that was gloved by Masyn Winn who caught Bichette leaning off first base to protect the Cardinals’ 2-0 lead.
Kodai Senga works through traffic in fifth
Kodai Senga’s command began to waver in the fifth inning.
With two outs, he walked Ivan Herrera on five pitches and then missed high with a fastball on the seventh pitch of an at-bat with Alec Burleson.
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With the Cardinals threatening, Senga had a full count on Masyn Winn but got him to swing at a low fastball and ground out to shortstop. It was a 26-pitch inning for Senga, who has allowed two earned runs in five innings.
Ivan Herrera cracks two-run hit for Cardinals
After a dominant second frame, Kodai Senga left three pitches over the middle of the plate and was damaged for it.
Senga gave up three straight hits to lead off the bottom of the third inning as the Cardinals built a 2-0 lead. Victor Scott tagged a double out of reach of Luis Robert Jr. in center field and JJ Wetherholt ripped a fastball in front of Robert and moved over to second on the throw.
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Ivan Herrera got a thigh-high slider over the middle of the plate and crushed to the base of the left-field wall for a two-run double. Senga settled down and record three straight outs.
Kodai Senga strikes out side in second
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning on March 31, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Mets fans seeking encouragement about the state of Kodai Senga heading into the 2026 should look no further than the second inning on Tuesday.
Senga used his fastball to strike out all three batters. He dialed up his velocity as high as 99.2 mph to send down Nathan Church swinging. And the Mets right-hander’s velocity has consistently sat around 98 mph.
Through two innings, Senga has gotten eight swing-and-misses including four on his fastball and one apiece on four different pitches.
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Mets, Cardinals strand two apiece in opening frame
The Mets and Cardinals made both pitchers labor in the first inning but could not break through.
Juan Soto scorched a one-out single off the Cardinals’ Andrew Pallante and Luis Robert Jr. drew a two-out walk, but Jared Young struck out on a slider. Pallante threw 25 pitches in the first inning.
Meanwhile, JJ Wetherholt shot a leadoff single into right field and Alec Burleson drew a one-out walk, but Kodai Senga got the force on a bunt attempt and a fly ball to left field to keep it scoreless through one inning. Senga threw 19 pitches.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals live score, highlights and analysis