The Mets got over-matched by Freddy Peralta and the Brewers bullpen, falling silent in a 3-1 Opening Day loss before a Citi Field sellout crowd of 42,137.

Starling Marte’s second-inning homer provided hope for the afternoon. 

It turned out to be the Mets’ only hit. Masters of Opening Day, the Mets lost their first opener since 2019 in Washington.

The homer was Marte’s first since July 4 of last season. It marked the third straight season in which Marte homered in the Mets’ first home game.

Marte’s shot into the wind on this day registered 109 mph off the bat. It was one of the limited opportunities for Mets fans to cheer as the offense stumbled out of the gate, striking out eight times against the Brewers ace and twice more against the Brewers bullpen.

DJ Stewart and Francisco Lindor were the only other Mets to reach base, with walks in the second and seventh innings.

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns and team owner Steve Cohen know that fans want the club to pursue big-name free agents following a rather underwhelming offseason for the organization. 

“At some point, we’ve got to take our shots — and we will,” Stearns said. “This organization has done it under Steve previously, and we will again. But they need to be  very well thought out. They need to be well calculated. And we have to understand we can’t do it all the time.” 

Stearns wasn’t yet employed by the Mets when Cohen signed off on last summer’s fire sale that included the club acquiring younger talents for co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. However, Stearns and Cohen later failed to land two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency before the Mets concentrated mostly on adding depth pieces ahead of spring training. 

“Where big-market clubs historically have gotten themselves into long-term trouble is by making repeated big mistakes in the luxury aisle of the supermarket,” Stearns continued. “So we’re going to shop in that aisle, but we have to do so intelligently, and we have to do so when it makes sense for the overall direction of our franchise.” 

Cohen essentially confirmed recently that All-Star Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will test free agency after the upcoming season. While it’s unknown if Cohen will pay the fan-favorite slugger later this year, the Mets have also repeatedly been linked with New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto. Like Alonso, Soto is on track to reach free agency this fall. 

In an exciting announcement for candy enthusiasts and soda lovers alike, Dr Pepper Peeps are set to make their return for the second consecutive year.

Following the resounding success of its debut, this time around, the limited-edition flavor collaboration will be available in stores nationwide, including Walmart, Target, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens and more.

Combining the unmistakable taste of Dr Pepper with the delightful texture of melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow, this confection promises to be a welcome indulgence. With its unique flavor profile and charm, Dr Pepper Peeps are poised to capture hearts and taste buds across the country.

Dr Pepper Peeps will be available for purchase while supplies last, offering fans the chance to savor the fusion of soda and sweetness.