Mets Top Cardinals in Series Opener

New York takes down St. Louis 4-2 in first game of 3-game set

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:30pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue, orange, red, and white.The Mets' victory over the Cardinals in the series opener sets the stage for an intense three-game clash between these National League contenders.NYC Today

The New York Mets defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in the opening game of their three-game series at Busch Stadium on Monday night. The Cardinals were limited to just five hits in the contest, with Alec Burleson driving in JJ Wetherholt on an RBI single in the first inning and Nolan Gorman adding a solo home run in the sixth. However, the Mets' pitching held St. Louis in check, striking out nine batters.

Why it matters

This early-season matchup between two National League contenders sets the stage for an important series as both teams look to gain an advantage in the standings. The Cardinals are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing loss at home, while the Mets are aiming to continue their strong start to the year.

The details

Cardinals starter Kyle Leahy took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings. The Mets were able to capitalize on their opportunities, going 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Matt Svanson and George Soriano provided solid relief work for St. Louis, combining for four scoreless innings.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 31, 2026 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

The players

Alec Burleson

A Cardinals outfielder who drove in the team's first run with an RBI single.

Nolan Gorman

A Cardinals infielder who hit a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Kyle Leahy

The Cardinals starting pitcher who took the loss, allowing four runs over 4 1/3 innings.

Matt Svanson

A Cardinals relief pitcher who recorded three strikeouts over two scoreless innings.

George Soriano

A Cardinals relief pitcher who added two scoreless innings.

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What’s next

The two teams will continue their series on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Cardinals looking to even things up at home.

The takeaway

Despite the loss, the Cardinals showed fight against a tough Mets team and will look to bounce back in the remaining games of the series as they aim to keep pace in the competitive National League.