Sophia
Three months ago, the New York Mets were soaring, boasting a commanding 45-24 record and looking like a lock for a 100-win season. Fast forward to September, and the narrative has flipped dramatically. A disastrous 3-7 road trip, culminating in a demoralizing sweep by the Philadelphia Phillies, has left the Mets reeling with a 76-71 record, 11 games adrift in the NL East, and clinging precariously to the final Wild Card spot.
The frustration in the clubhouse is palpable, and no one is sugarcoating the team’s struggles. Star first baseman Pete Alonso, increasingly a vocal leader alongside Juan Soto, minced no words in a recent conversation with Jon Heyman on the New York Post podcast. His assessment was blunt: “Frustrated. That’s obviously not great.”
Injuries Decimate Pitching Staff
Alonso attributed much of the team’s decline to a relentless wave of injuries that has decimated the pitching rotation and stretched the bullpen to its limits. Key losses include A.J. Minter’s season-ending torn lat muscle in May, Frankie Montas’s UCL issue in August, Griffin Canning’s ruptured Achilles, and Max Kranick’s unexpected absence after 40 strong innings.
“When you have starters go down and you’re trying to figure out who fits where… you definitely miss those quality starts,” Alonso explained. “There was a lot of plug and play we had to do. It created a long ripple effect.”
The strain was evident in Philadelphia, where emotions ran high. Mark Vientos angrily slammed his helmet after a strikeout, Jeff McNeil tossed his bat aside in frustration, and manager Carlos Mendoza worked tirelessly to maintain composure in the dugout. “I’m responsible,” Mendoza stated, taking ownership. “It’s my job to get these guys going, and I will.”
Pitcher David Peterson, who surrendered three runs in five innings in the latest defeat, offered a concise message of moving forward: “We’ve got 15 games left. Past is the past. We have to let it go and play better.”
Can Citi Field Spark a Comeback?
A glimmer of hope for the Mets lies in their return to Citi Field for a crucial nine-game homestand. The team has historically performed much better at home, boasting a strong 45-27 record compared to their struggles on the road. Moreover, reinforcements could be on the horizon, with Kodai Senga working towards a late-season return and promising rookies Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong demonstrating their readiness for the big leagues.
Amidst the team’s struggles, Juan Soto has been a consistent bright spot, authoring his first career 30-30 season—a testament to his immense talent and the Mets’ significant investment. He’s been particularly hot lately, hitting an impressive .375 with seven home runs over his last 15 games.
While the path to the postseason is narrow and fraught with challenges, the Mets still control their destiny. The urgency expressed by Alonso and his teammates is now their primary fuel as they battle to keep their playoff aspirations alive in the dwindling days of the regular season.
