Game Chat: Mets vs Cardinals, 1:15 PM

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 • 1:15 PM
Busch Stadium • St. Louis, MO
RHP Freddy Peralta (1-0, 7.20) vs. LHP Matthew Liberatore (0-0, 1.80)
SNY

The first rubber game of the season! After taking the first game of the series 4-2, the Mets fell to the Cardinals 3-0 last night. The offense could not get much going against Pallante and the Cardinals bullpen. The Cardinals bullpen was dreadful against the Rays opening weekend but has been lights out against the Mets this week.

At the start of this series we found out that Jorge Polanco was playing through an Achilles issue, leading to more Brett Baty in the field. Last night was the first time the Mets played with a “B” roster, with Polanco, Baty and Alvarez all not starting. That should mean the Mets are all systems go for a getaway day this afternoon behind Freddy Peralta!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Jorge Polanco – DH
5. Luis Robert Jr. – CF
6. Mark Vientos – 1B
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Francisco Alvarez – C
9. Tyrone Taylor – RF

Starting Pitcher: Freddy Peralta

Freddy Peralta makes his second start of the season this afternoon and his second start against an NL Central team. In his first start he allowed four runs on six hits over five innings, including two home runs while striking out seven batters. Peralta made one start against the Cardinals in 2025, holding them to one run over six innings on four hits and a one walk while striking out six. The Cardinals have the following career numbers against Peralta:

• Alec Burleson 4-18, 2 2B, 2 BB, K
• Nolan Gorman 3-11, 2B, 3 BB, 2 K
• Ivan Herrera 3-6, 2 K
• Pedro Pages 2-4, 2 HR, 2 K
• Victor Scott II 2-4, 2B, K
• Ramón Urías 0-2, 2 K
• Jordan Walker 2-9, 3 K
• Masyn Winn 3-15, BB, 2 K

Opposing Lineup

1. JJ Wetherholt – 2B
2. Ivan Herrera – DH
3. Alec Burleson – 1B
4. Masyn Winn – SS
5. Nolan Gorman – 3B
6. Thomas Saggese – LF
7. Nathan Church – RF
8. Pedro Pages – C
9. Victor Scott II – CF

The Cardinals are hoping this season is the one that Matthew Liberatore becomes their ace. He had a great first start of the season, allowing only one run on seven hits and two walks over five innings. Last season was the first season he moved fully into the rotation. Over 29 starts he pitched 151 2/3 innings with a 4.21 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.305 WHIP and a 97 ERA+. He made one start against the Mets last season allowing two runs from six hits and a walk while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings. The Mets have the following career stats against him:

• Francisco Alvarez 1-3
• Brett Baty 0-0, BB
• Bo Bichette 1-2, K
• Francisco Lindor 1-7, HR, K
• Jorge Polanco 0-4, BB
• Luis Robert Jr. 0-3
• Marcus Semien 3-5, 2B
• Juan Soto 3-5, 2B
• Tyrone Taylor 2-6, 2 2B, BB
• Luis Torrens 0-3, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 2-4, HR

Game Notes

Triple-A Syracuse will be playing at the same time as the Mets today with pitching prospect Jack Wenninger getting the start. Ronny Mauricio hit his first home run of the season on Tuesday. All four of the Mets full season affiliates will be in action on Friday for the first time in 2026.

The Mets starting rotation had a 3.38 ERA the first time through the order.

The Mets are hitting .193 to start the season with runners in scoring position.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Where did the Mets bats go? The Mets scored 11 runs on Opening Day. Since then, it has been a struggle to score runs, with a solid chunk of their runs scored in extra innings. Yesterday the Mets had only three hits and four walks and went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The Cardinals didn’t do that much better, going 2-for-11 with RISP. It would be nice to get the bats right before heading out to San Francisco.
2. Don’t blame Juan Soto though. Juan Soto went 2-for-4 yesterday including his second double of the season. He has gone 8-for-21 this season with two doubles and three walks (.458 OPS). He has four RBI’s, which is a sign of how well the bottom of the Mets order + Lindor have been getting on base, but Soto himself has only scored once. That’s an indictment of what’s happening behind him.
3. Bullpen reset. Kodai Senga looked great last night pitching six innings while striking out eight. Richard Lovelady then pitched two innings. He gave up a run, making a two-run lead feel like an insurmountable three-run lead by the Cardinals, but at least he was able to give the rest of the bullpen the rest of the night off. Luis Garcia enters this afternoon’s game not pitching since last Saturday. Brazobán, Weaver and Manaea haven’t pitched since Sunday.

Let’s go Mets!

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