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Who has it better than Paul Skenes? The girlfriend. The talent. The mustache. Matched up against the New York Mets on Opening Day, it was one of those days where fans in Queens accepted what could happen.
Not this year. After a National Anthem faux pas where Hamilton's George Washington actor forgot the lyrics (to be fair, the Star Spangled Banner wasn’t written until 1814, the real Washington died in 1799), it seemed as if the jinx was in.
A single followed by a home run to lead off the game for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Freddy Peralta’s debut got off to a rocky start. He followed it up with 3 strikeouts. Then came the Mets’ turn to knock Skenes back to 1776.
The newlook Mets lineup beat up on one of the best pitchers in baseball
Walk, single, sacrifice fly; the game was 2-1. Infield single, walk, and a bases loaded triple off the bat of Brett Baty forced Skenes to the edge of the plank. The Mets suddenly led 4-2. Marcus Semien was then crowded with a double when center fielder Oneil Cruz reminded the Pirates on the second straight ball he’s still learning the position.
Oneil Cruz completely misread this Brett Baty fly ball, and it sailed over his head for a bases-clearing triple. Citi Field is loud right now, as the Mets have already made Paul Skenes throw 33 pitches. He's recorded just one out.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 26, 2026
Mets 5, Pirates 2, bottom one. pic.twitter.com/yeKQGyNyz4
An absolute nightmare first inning for Oneil Cruz pic.twitter.com/jjsX8UNj2L
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2026
Carson Benge struck out and then Francisco Alvarez was hit by a pitch.
Enough was enough. Skenes was yanked after the Mets batted around in the first. He retired just two batters, one of which resulted in a run for the Mets.
Sure, it was a bit of luck or lack of it on the part of the Pirates. Cruz rated as an average center fielder last year with 0 Outs Above Average but had an alarming 11 errors. The Mets will take that from Bo Bichette or Jorge Polanco at their new positions in 2026.
Charged with all 5 runs, it took Skenes until his third start last year to give up 5 for the year. As a rookie in 2024, it took him until start number four to allow 5 total.
Nobody is about to release Skenes from their fantasy baseball team or declare this a lost year. This is more a celebration of what the Mets lineup is capable of. No home runs hit and just about every other way you can reach base included in this big first inning, we got an early glimpse into what can lie ahead.