After dropping seven straight games in a stunning collapse, the Mets finally showed signs of life with a jaw-dropping power display on Saturday, launching seven home runs in a single night. It felt like a turning point. A sigh of relief swept through the dugout. But it was short-lived. Less than 24 hours later, they crashed again, this time in a 7–1 loss to the Phillies. And that loss came with a cost: the Phillies leapfrogged the Mets to take the top spot in the division. For a team with postseason dreams, that’s a brutal blow. But then again, this is the Mets. And if there’s one thing this team won’t do, it’s go quietly.
After the 11–4 win, the Mets would’ve hoped things were back to normal. And now to give up the top spot in the NL East? It is never a good sign for a team hoping for October glory. But even amid these troubling losses, their spirits haven’t dimmed. This is the same team that pushed the Dodgers around in their last seven games against the reigning World Series champions. But right now, according to Mets reliever Reed Garrett, all they are focusing on is themselves, not comparisons with rivals.
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys who lead by example and show what it takes to be a dominant team,” Garrett said in an appearance on Meet the Apple with host Jonathan Baron. “And I think we’re seeing that on the field. We’re seeing that in all the different position groups, the position players, the infielders, the outfielders, the catchers, the starting pitchers, the relievers, we’re all like a tight-knit group within a tight-knit group,” he said, sounding confident in the roster’s power. “I think the biggest thing is we’re comparing ourselves, holding ourselves accountable, and pushing forward,” he added.
Even though Garrett has struggled in his last two outings, he still seems confident, especially in his teammates. They have one of the best lineups in MLB, no doubt. Even Juan Soto has emerged from the concerning slump he faced earlier this season and has started playing like the $765 million player he is. In Saturday’s game, he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. The re-signed Pete Alonso is also steadying, with Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo delivering for the team as well. But this concerning losing streak has triggered alarms from across the MLB world.
“I think Mets fans should be worried. During this losing streak, everything has fallen apart,” said WFAN radio host Brandon Tierney. He believes this recent slump is a sign of widening cracks in the team. Can that be completely overlooked? Unfortunately, no. With the loss on Sunday, the Mets now sit second in the NL East with a 46–32 record. They are 2–8 in their last 10 games. Even though their batters are producing, the biggest contributor to the skid has been the struggling pitching staff.
Mets’ bullpen is in shreds
With the Mets suffering back-to-back losses, one thing is becoming clear: they seriously need help with their pitching. Their ERA over the past seven games is a testament to that. A 6.22 ERA is not what you expect from a team that leads the league in ERA this season, at any point. Injuries have forced the team to overuse their bullpen, and when that happens, it’s natural for the fire to simmer down. Even Mets manager Carlos Mendoza credited the rotation for the ugly slump.
“I feel now the concern is more the state of the bullpen, how much we have used those guys,” Mendoza told the New York Post’s Mike Puma after Sunday’s loss. “We have been shuffling a lot of guys, but we have got to find a way. We have got some really good arms in this room, and they will get back on track. They will get us back on track,” he said, sharing hope.
Even the usually reliable David Peterson was hammered by Phillies hitters, surrendering two home runs. His four-inning start was his shortest outing of the season. He allowed five runs, and guess what? It is his highest in a game this year. “They made adjustments and whatnot, but I didn’t execute enough pitches,” Peterson said, reflecting on his performance. “And the ones I didn’t execute the way I wanted to, they took advantage of,” he added.
Not just Peterson, Griffin Canning, Clay Holmes, Paul Blackburn, and Blake Tidwell have all cost the team dearly during this losing stretch. The absence of sidelined players like Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill only added fuel to the fire. The return of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas from the minors is expected soon, which could help the team. One thing is clear: if they want to bounce back from this slump, they need to fix their bullpen, and fast.
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