The New York Mets suffered a harsh sweep by the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 20, 2025, highlighting critical issues as their offense faltered and stars like Juan Soto struggled significantly. Once considered first-place contenders, the Mets were overwhelmed by a Braves team that had been faltering earlier in the season, with the Mets managing only a single run over the last 22 innings of the series. The Mets’ inability to perform at the plate and on the base paths, particularly among their star players, deepened concerns about the team’s current form.
Despite entering the series with hopes to reassert their dominance, the Mets quickly found themselves unable to compete effectively. Juan Soto’s difficulties at the plate were evident, compounded by Francisco Lindor’s ongoing struggles and Pete Alonso’s lackluster performance. The Mets’ collapse has drawn sharp criticism and alarm, with WFAN insiders voicing blunt assessments about the team’s competitiveness. One WFAN host remarked,
“Nobody’s competing in the batter’s box and it really looks bad… especially when you play a team like, the Atlanta Braves, who played like, crap up until this series.”
—WFAN Host
Star Players Lost Their Edge as Mets’ Momentum Collapsed
The sweep marked more than just a losing streak; it exposed deep-rooted problems within the Mets roster. Juan Soto’s disorientation on the field was mirrored by the silent bats of Lindor and Alonso, who all seemed to lose their usual effectiveness when it mattered most. Statistical data reinforced the visible slump, with Lindor going hitless throughout the series and Soto facing chants of “Over-rated!” from the Atlanta crowd during the final game’s eighth inning.
The pitching staff also faltered, exemplified by Clay Holmes, who struggled with control and issued six walks in a poor outing. Mets pitching coach Carlos Mendoza highlighted the mound’s role in the team‘s failures:
“It starts right there on the mound,”
he said. Nonetheless, the slump was not confined to pitching alone; it was a collective breakdown across the team.
Timing of Mets’ Collapse Heightens Consequences in Division Race
The timing of this downturn could not be worse for the Mets, who had recently climbed into first place in their division. Instead of solidifying their lead, they lost ground to a Braves team that had been struggling previously, revitalizing Atlanta’s season while draining New York’s confidence. With six consecutive losses now on record, the Mets face a difficult upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies and ace Zack Wheeler, who presents a formidable challenge.
Brandon Nimmo, one of the Mets’ key players, candidly addressed the situation:
“Listen — no matter if we were in Atlanta or we’re heading to Philadelphia now, those are good teams and you need to play good baseball in order to beat them,”
he said.
“We didn’t play good enough baseball all around this time through,”
he added, underlining the team’s collective shortcomings.
Pitching Staff Challenges Exacerbate Team’s Difficulties
Compounding offensive struggles, the Mets’ pitching rotation has been decimated by injuries, forcing the team into makeshift solutions that lack reliability. Key starters Taylor Megill, Kodai Senga, and Max Kranick are all sidelined, leaving the Mets to depend on less experienced pitchers and emergency call-ups. Justin Hagenman, a successful bullpen arm, has been promoted to fill gaps despite limited starting experience, having pitched only 3⅓ innings this season with one earned run allowed. He may be called upon to start against the Phillies on Friday, underscoring the team’s lack of sustainable pitching options.
Another gamble lies with Frankie Montas, signed for $34 million after recovering from shoulder surgery but struggling in rehab. His performance in six rehabilitation starts has been problematic: 30 hits allowed, eight home runs given up, and an 12.05 ERA over 18⅔ innings. Mendoza expressed doubts about Montas’ readiness:
“He got hit around, you know? But once you put him in a big league game… they flip the switch.”
The Mets face a critical risk betting on Montas to stabilize a faltering rotation.
Future Outlook Remains Uncertain Amid Rising Pressure
With depleted pitching options and offensive stars mired in slumps, the Mets find themselves in a precarious situation as the season progresses. The team depth chart appears stretched thin, more reflecting urgent needs than strategic strengths. The looming series against the Phillies, led by Zack Wheeler, represents a make-or-break moment amid an increasingly competitive division race.
The Mets’ ability to recover relies heavily on whether key players like Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor can emerge from their slumps and deliver crucial performances in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the pitching staff’s fate may depend on whether Frankie Montas can regain form or if other options arise to halt the growing instability. The Mets’ slipping grip on their division position signals that swift changes are necessary to avoid a prolonged downturn.