New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto told Mike Puma of the New York Post that he was "pitched differently last year," when he was with the New York Yankees and had two-time American League MVP Aaron Judge hitting behind him.

Ahead of Monday’s 5-1 win against the Minnesota Twins, when Soto featured a .409 on-base percentage with one home run and four RBIs, the Mets’ $765 million man talked about what it’s like not having Judge’s lineup protection.

So far, it seems like pitchers are intent to let anyone but Soto in the Mets lineup beat them. And it's resulted in a strong start to the season for slugging first baseman Pete Alonso, who, entering play Tuesday, leads the National League with a 1.136 OPS.