Apr 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
QUEENS — Clay Holmes was the Mets’ most consistent starting pitcher last season — his debut campaign in Queens and his first since transitioning from a relief role with the crosstown Yankees.
A little over a month into the 2026 season, and he’s now the Mets’ ace.
The 33-year-old right-hander dominated what had been a hot Washington Nationals lineup on Tuesday night at Citi Field, going six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits with six strikeouts and a walk in an 8-0 victory.
His season ERA has now dropped to a sterling 1.75, which ranks third in the National League behind a pair of Dodgers starters, Shohei Ohtani and Justin Wrobleski.
“I think there’s a little more comfort,” Holmes said. “I have a better idea of how I can get outs and what I can do. I think it’s just trusting that.”
His sinker has been the meal ticket — a pitch he has thrown 49% of the time (up from 40.8% last year) — though it has not been some strikeout machine. Holmes is relying on weak contact and trusting what has been a suspect defense at time this season.
It’s worked. Opponents’ hard-hit rates on the sinker have plummeted from 51.3% last season to 39.7% in 2026. Out of the 94 pitches he threw on Tuesday night, 49 were sinkers. Of the eight of them put in play, seven were ground balls.
“The sinker has been really good,” Holmes said. “I’ve been able to have some efficient innings, which have been helpful. I think being more familiar with [catcher Francisco Alvarez]. He’s been great back there. Just have your feet under you a little bit, and it’s allowed me to really settle in and feel like I can trust the defense and just pitch.”
Holmes is just the 12th Mets pitcher in the last 30 years to post an ERA of 1.75 or lower through his first six starts of a season, and a much-needed steadying force for a rotation that has not gotten the length it wants from Freddy Peralta, demoted and then reinstated David Peterson, and lost Kodai Senga to a back injury after posting a 17.28 ERA across his last three starts.
“He’s pounding the strike zone,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Not only getting Strike 1, but staying on the attack, not trying to be too fine or trying to go for strikeouts. It’s more like, here it is, especially with the sinker. The way he’s been using it and getting ground balls with that pitch and just sticking to that pitch and understanding he can get ground balls here early in counts and being able to go deep in games, that’s the next step.”
For more on Clay Holmes and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
