If this was a dress rehearsal, let’s hope the first real performance is just as smooth.

In exactly one week the Mets will take the field for a game that counts against Paul Skenes and the Pirates and Thursday they trotted out a lineup that Carlos Mendoza told reporters before the game was “pretty close” to what you will see on Opening Day.

The batting order: Francisco Lindor, SS, Juan Soto, LF, Bo Bichette, 3B, Jorge Polanco, 1B, Luis Robert Jr., CF, Brett Baty, RF, Marcus Semien, 2B, Mark Vientos, DH, Francisco Alvarez, C.

How did it do? Robert was 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, Bichette was 2-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored, Baty connected for an RBI double and the Mets (12-9-2) beat the Astros 6-2 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. (The MMO crew took a stab at the Opening Day lineup here.)

Kodai Senga tossed four scoreless innings, gave up three hits and a walk and struck out four. He threw 41 of 63 pitches for strikes and his four-seam fastball topped out at 97.3 mph. The Astros also played a lot of regulars (Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa, etc.).

“That’s our ace,” Soto told reporters after he exited the game. “If he stays healthy, he’s going to help the team go all the way.”

Francisco Alvarez was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fourth and, per Max Goodman of NJ.com, was scheduled to play nine innings. He struck out swinging on Peter Lambert‘s 80 mph slurve in his first at-bat and caught Senga for three innings. Mendoza said after the game that Alvarez was pulled due to back tightness. Mendoza added that the move was precautionary and Alvarez would’ve continued to play if it were the regular season.

Soto was 0-for-2 with a run scored and a walk in his return to the Mets from the World Baseball Classic. Semien chipped in a pair of sacrifice flies.

Luis Garcia pitched an inning and gave up an unearned run, Aaron Rozek struck out the only batter he faced and Craig Kimbrel gave up a run and struck out three in an inning. Justin Banks recorded two outs, Austin Warren struck out the side in the eighth and Richard Lovelady threw a scoreless ninth.

Mendoza said pre-game that Bichette will start at shortstop on Friday.

“I think it was important for Bo to give him some reps there in case we do go that route, where he could potentially be our backup shortstop,” he told reporters.

“And from the very beginning he was very open. When Lindor went down, not knowing what the expectations and the timetable, he was very open and say, ‘Hey, I know third base is going to be the priority but I can always go back and play short, I can play second. Whatever the team needs.’ So it goes to show you that’s hes willing to do whatever we’re asking him to do. So that’s why we’re giving him a game (at short) tomorrow.”

Ronny Mauricio, who was a backup shortstop candidate, will start the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

“We’re getting to those days where we have to make those tough decisions and this was one of them,” Mendoza said. “We said it from the beginning. We need Ronny Mauricio to play. And for him right now with everyone – knock on wood – healthy, right, he needs to go down to Triple-A and get everyday reps.”

Mauricio went 10-for-36 with a home run, four doubles (.920 OPS) and two steals in spring training. Mendoza also liked his defense.

“He got a lot of reps (at shortstop) and he played pretty well, so that’s exciting,” the manager said. “The fact that, not only third base but keeping shortstop as an option, is going to be huge for him and for us moving forward.”

Stat of the Game

One player who may not be in the Opening Day lineup who started is Vientos. He was 0-for-3 with a walk and is 1-for-28 this spring with five strikeouts. He was also 2-for-15 with a walk and six strikeouts for Nicaragua in the WBC.

Player of the Game

Senga has given up two runs in 9 2/3 innings this spring. He’s struck out 11 and walked one.

On Deck

The Mets host the Cardinals at Clover Park at 1:10 p.m. ET Friday. RHP Andre Pallante goes for St. Louis. The Mets haven’t announced a starter. The game will air on SNY, MLB Network and ESPN Unlimited.