Mets and Cardinals Battle as Phil Maton Reflects on Team Changes

NEW YORK, NY — In a compelling showdown Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, the New York Mets hosted the St. Louis Cardinals, creating an emotional scene as former teammate Phil Maton received warm hugs and greetings from players and coaches alike. Maton, who now pitches for the Cardinals, expressed mixed feelings about his transition after the Mets declined a $7.75 million option on him for the 2025 season.

Maton described the moment he received the news from Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns in November as disappointing yet unsurprising. “It is what it is,” Maton said, reflecting on a surprising turn in his career.

Meanwhile, the spotlight settled on Mets star Juan Soto, who has struggled to find his rhythm this season. In front of a crowd of 38,246, Soto finished the game 0-for-3 with a walk, a performance that left some fans murmuring in frustration. “It’s just baseball,” Soto said after the game. “There’s nothing I can do. Definitely I’m trying my best to get going and help the team.”

Despite his struggles, Soto managed a .773 OPS through the season’s early games, highlighting potential amid concerns. However, comparisons to last year’s remarkable start with the Yankees, where his batting average was at .352 by mid-April, loom large. “I just gotta keep grinding,” he added, emphasizing resilience through difficult patches.

Adding to the consistency for the Mets was Griffin Canning, who pitched a strong six-inning performance, allowing only one run while striking out eight Cardinals batters. Canning’s control and strategy adjustments paid off, especially after he modified his use of pitches from previous games. “Tonight is how I want to pitch,” Canning stated, sharing insights into his tactical evolution since joining the Mets.

Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Canning’s adaptability and execution, noting, “Every pitch he threw for strikes. When you have every pitch working for you, good things happen.” Canning’s pitch mix adjustment, especially increasing the use of his fastball, proved effective in maintaining pressure on the Cardinals offense, which had been one of the highest-scoring teams in MLB.

The Mets celebrated an overall team effort that night, culminating in a four-run second inning where Mark Vientos hit his first home run of the season. Francisco Lindor contributed as well, driving in two runs and showcasing the Mets’ offensive depth. “It was a bad play turned into an OK play,” Lindor explained, referring to his dual contribution on the base paths.

As the Mets continued to navigate the 2025 season, the question remained: Could Soto regain his form and help the Mets solidify their momentum? Or would Maton’s presence serve as a reminder of the team’s ever-changing dynamics and the nature of professional baseball?