Carlos Mendoza's Decision Today Matters More Than Mets Fans Might Think

The New York Mets and manager Carlos Mendoza are showing their hand in their first game against a left-handed starter in 2026.

Mar 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) speaks at a press conference before his team's opening day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Mets are facing a left-handed starting pitcher on Wednesday for the first time this season.

The team's lineup against St. Louis Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore is quite telling as they loaded up on right-handed hitters.

The Mets' lineup today features: Francisco Lindor (switch), Juan Soto (LHB), Bo Bichette (RHB), Jorge Polanco (switch), Luis Robert Jr. (RHB), Mark Vientos (RHB), Marcus Semien (RHB), Francisco Alvarez (RHB) and Tyrone Taylor (RHB). Ace right-hander Freddy Peralta will take the mound for his second start of the regular season.

Series finale in The Lou! #LGM pic.twitter.com/4rMqBrkBlb

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 1, 2026

What this lineup says about the Mets this season is that they will likely play Vientos a lot against left-handed pitching. Vientos is slashing .260/.301/.463 with a .764 OPS versus southpaws in 361 career at-bats.

It also says that Brett Baty will sit mostly against lefty pitching due to his own career struggles. In 211 at-bats against lefties, Baty is slashing just .199/.246/.299 with a .544 OPS.

Rookie left-handed hitter Carson Benge is also sitting against Liberatore on Wednesday. It's common for a young lefty swinger to be eased into exposure against lefty pitching early in their career.

Right-handed hitting outfielder Tyrone Taylor is making his first start of the year in right field on Wednesday as well. Taylor, who is more known for his glove, has a .242/.300/.404/.704 slash line against lefties for his career.

In game No. 1 versus a lefty starter, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is utilizing his platoons on the roster. This should be a sign of things to come in the 2026 season.

Mets' Offensive Struggles

Mar 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) reacts after striking out to end the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Beyond Opening Day when the Mets put up 11 runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team has struggled offensively in four games since.

During this four-game span, the Mets are just 6-for-42 (.143) with runners in scoring position and have left 34 men on base.

Over their last four games, since Opening Day, the Mets are 6-for-42 (.143) with runners in scoring position. They've left 34 runners on base.

— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) April 1, 2026

On the season, the Mets' offense is slashing .228/.333/.351 with a .684 OPS. They've scored 22 runs in five games and have a total of three home runs.

At the forefront of these struggles are newcomers Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien. Bichette is 2-for-22 (.091) with three RBI and a .216 OPS. It has hurt the Mets' production in the middle of their order given Bichette is the No. 3 hitter behind Lindor and Soto. Bichette is 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position this year.

As for Semien, the veteran second baseman is 2-for-16 (.125) with two RBI and a .438 OPS. Semien has struggled at the plate in back-to-back seasons since helping the Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series.