The New York Mets may have taken a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, but there was a silver lining in the form of Kodai Senga's impressive performance on the mound. Even as the scoreboard favored the Cardinals, Senga's outing offered a glimpse of hope for a Mets rotation looking to find its groove early in the 2026 season.
"He was really good today"
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 1, 2026
Carlos Mendoza talks about Kodai Senga's outing tonight: pic.twitter.com/IK93cJRm9V
Senga was electric, flashing elite velocity and a knack for getting hitters to swing and miss. His fastball was sizzling in the upper 90s, and his secondary pitches kept the Cardinals guessing, racking up multiple strikeouts along the way.
While the Mets didn't come out on top, Senga's performance was a major highlight. His ability to overpower hitters and his command on the mound suggest he could be a key figure at the top of the rotation as the season progresses.
"A lot of guys saw 2023. We've got to make sure that he recovers well and that he continues to feel good, because that's electric there."
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 1, 2026
Carlos Mendoza talks about seeing Kodai Senga pitch in the regular season and what he expects to see from Senga: pic.twitter.com/DRDbkfgAZU
Manager Carlos Mendoza was quick to praise Senga's execution and presence on the mound, noting that the team views him as an essential part of their pitching staff. In a post-game interview shared on X, formerly Twitter, Mendoza expressed his satisfaction: “He was really good today.”
Mendoza also emphasized the importance of Senga's health, recalling the challenges from 2023 and stressing the need for him to recover well and stay in top form. “A lot of guys saw 2023. We’ve got to make sure that he recovers well and that he continues to feel good, because that’s electric there.”
The manager's comments highlight the delicate balance between performance and durability. For Senga, maintaining his health is crucial to sustaining his effectiveness and impact on the mound.
Despite the defeat, the Mets are walking away with a sense of optimism. Senga's trajectory is clearly on the rise, and Mendoza's confidence in him underscores the belief that he can play a pivotal role in leading the rotation this season.