The New York Mets entered Tuesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates off a hard-earned 4-3 victory. Unlike many of their wins, the Mets didn’t hit any home runs. They barely got any extra-base hits, only one, a double by Jeff McNeil. They had to grind through, do the little things, and use the speed of Luisangel Acuna to grab a run. They got productive outs, including the game-winning sacrifice fly by Pete Alonso.
Kodai Senga missed nearly all last season due to injury. He made two short playoff starts, one of which went ok against the Philadelphia Phillies and another a disaster against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Conversely, his rookie season in 2023 was exceptional. He went 12-7 with a 2.98 earned run average, finishing second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and seventh in the Cy Young race.
Many looked at the rotation as a huge question mark; Senga’s status was a big reason why. Could he stay healthy? If so, would he gain the command of 2023, or would the wildness that plagued him against the Dodgers continue to stymie him?
Senga has answered doubters with an incredible 2025. He has allowed one earned run or less in six of his first eight starts. He has ridden this sustained excellence to a 1.22 ERA, the best in the National League. When he has gotten into trouble, he has excelled in keeping runs off the board. Senga has exceptional poise as he doesn’t get rattled under extreme pressure.
On Tuesday against the Pirates, he continued his fantastic run. He had a little trouble early, giving up a triple to Ke’Bryan Hayes in the 2nd. He immediately stiffened up, getting a pop-up and a strikeout. He had more adventure in the 3rd, allowing a single to Henry Davis and a double to Adam Frazier. Senga once again raised his game, getting a strikeout and a groundout.
During the next three innings, Senga allowed base runners. Each time, though, he bared down and kept Pittsburgh off the board. Pitchers who can become tougher to hit with runners in scoring position are extremely few. He continuously proves that he is one of those exceptions; he gives his team confidence that they will win.
Senga sets the pace for the rest of the rotation. The starting arms follow his lead, consistently giving the team quality starts, ranking with one of the lowest ERAs. The staff has done this without the perceived ace, Sean Manaea, being available for one start this season.
The rotation has not only exceeded all expectations, but they are setting records in the process. New York has five different pitchers with a sub-3.15 ERA and 40+ strikeouts through 8 starts. They are Griffin Canning, Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill, David Peterson, and Senga. No other team in MLB history has ever had five such players to begin a season.
This says much about the Mets’ exceptional pitching coach, Jeremy Hefner. It also leads to much-deserved credit being placed on General Manager David Stearns’ pitching plan and the trust he has placed in New York’s pitching labs and analytics. It worked well in 2024 with Luis Severino and Jose Quintana. The bar has been raised even higher in 2025.
The Mets sent Brent Baty back down to the minors three weeks ago. He again struggled after an exceptional Spring Training, hitting .204 with a .246 on-base percentage. His yearly teasers of minor league dominance and exhibition excellence didn’t translate into major league excellence.
New York called Baty back up to start the showdown series with the Chicago Cubs. Manager Carlos Mendoza looked for the ability to mix and match with Mark Vientos, struggling through a slow start. Could Baty take advantage of what might be his last chance?
It has only been five games, but so far, Baty has proved an emphatic “YES!” On Friday, he went two for four with a HR, then he followed Saturday with his first ever multi-HR game. He blasted two, knocking in all five runs the Mets scored.
Tuesday, New York found itself in another low-scoring affair. Mitch Keller matched Senga, holding the Mets to one run into the 7th. Baty came up with two outs and a one-all score. He responded with maybe his greatest moment in the majors, clobbering a blast over left. He gave New York the lead, one it wouldn’t give up.
The Mets are now 28-15, tied for the best record with the Detroit Tigers. Juan Soto has had a subpar start by his standards. Brandon Nimmo and Vientos have largely struggled. Much of the remade bullpen has been injured for lengthy stretches. Frankie Montas and Manaea have yet to pitch.
New York has taken one hit after another, yet the team keeps rolling. Their chemistry is exceptional, and they buy completely into the atmosphere Mendoza has established. The Mets’ leadership of owner Steve Cohen, Stearns, and Mendoza is the most cohesive they have ever had. The trickle-down effect is obvious.
Cohen provides the resources, and he trusts his people. They have implemented an outstanding structure to help pitchers develop and make the adjustments needed to excel. Canning, a Los Angeles Angels’ castoff, is the latest example. This gives every reason to believe the unbelievable rotational start can continue.
Baty has the talent to achieve major league success. Confidence has always been just out of his reach. He has had several big-time moments this year. They include a huge HR in the divisional battle against the Philadelphia Phillies, the explosion against the Cubs, and his winning blast against the Pirates. Get a young talent player to believe in themselves, and anything can happen.
New York is going to get injured players back soon. They may be having breakouts from the likes of Baty and Megill. Their farm system is ready to send many exceptional talents up to the Big Apple soon. As great as the Mets’ start has been, there is reason to believe the good times are only beginning.
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