Houston – The great expected liftoff failed to launch the Mets on Thursday.
The dream lineup, including Juan Soto for the first time, was castrated by Framer Valdez.
The Mets, held on six singles, lost 3-1 to the Astros at Daikin Park due to the team's sixth loss in the opening game of the last 20 seasons.
Overall, the Mets are 41-23 on the first day, but still in the MLB best.
Soto reached base three times in his Mets debut – twice on the walk – he officially began his 15-year, $765 million marathon.
The All-Star outfielder attacked to finish the game with Josh Hader in a unity run on base.
The Mets' complaints were to leave the base loaded, following three consecutive walks against Brian Abreu.
Abreu gathered to retire Brandonnimo on a line drive to the centre.
In the ninth, Louisander Acuña's 12-pitch at Hadard, culminating in the walk, highlighted the rally that produced the Mets' only run with Francisco Lindor's sacrifice fly.
Soto took the runners for the first place and third time, moving 3-0 with a count against Hader before the left-hander spins for a strikeout.
Clay Holmes, who moved from a reliever to a starter in spring training, worked on five innings and allowed three runs to win.
Former Yankees reliever Holmes began his regular season game with the Pirates for the first time since 2018.
Holmes loaded the base in two innings and allowed him to run to Jake Myers' RBI Fielder's choice.
However, the hurler escaped further trouble by hitting Jose Altoube with the sinker after filling the count.
Jeremy Pena was excavated on the pitch to start the rally before Cam Smith singled on his first MLB at-bat and Brendan Rogers loaded the base.
Third, Holmes walked with Isaac Pades leading before consecutive singles from Christian Walker and Jainer Diaz extended the Astros' lead to 2-0.
Pena's next grounder may have been a double play at the end of the inning, but Acknya dumped the relay and allowed Walker to score.
Holmes allowed two singles in the fourth but escaped as Pete Alonso stepped into his bag and completed the inning-end double play when Acknya's relay sailed Vientos by throwing it to the grounder of Purdes.
Lewis Torrens was guilty by finishing the inning of a dirt ball with Calom on Catcher Diaz from the back wall, being nailed at the third base.
Soto remained standing on the plate.
Torrens reached out with a double of bluep in one out in the inning.
Diaz walked two outs for the fifth time to finish Holmes' day.
Overall, right-handers allowed three runs to win with five hits on four walks and four strikeouts.
He was removed after 89 pitches.
Huascar Brazobán scored a final out in the frame.
Alonso faced Valdes in the sixth time, but Vientos' sharp hit ground turned into a 6-4-3 double play that ended the innings.
The Mets had the best chance against Valdes, who pitched six shutout innings, but Soto had their first chance after singled in the first official plate appearance that Mets and Vientos walked.
However, Nemo and Sterling Marte retired in a row to end the threat.
Brazovan helped save the bullpen by pitching 2¹/₃ scoreless innings that allowed one hit and one walk.
The right-hander was on the bubble for the first day's roster spot until the conclusion of spring training.
