The New York Mets have experienced a severe downturn, suffering a 2-13 record over their last 15 games after narrowly losing 4-3 to the struggling Atlanta Braves on Thursday night. This latest setback added to the mounting pressure on the team as they fight to remain in postseason contention. Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ star shortstop, delivered an emotional appeal, emphasizing the need for unity among teammates as they confront their current crisis.
Lindor Calls for Team Cohesion During Difficult Times
In the wake of the loss, Lindor addressed the Mets’ locker room with a heartfelt message about perseverance and solidarity. He acknowledged the uneven performances across the team and stressed that sticking together is crucial to overcoming the adversity they face.
“There are a lot of guys doing good things, and then there are a couple of guys that are not,”
Lindor said, as reported by Phillip Martinez of SNY.
“Sticking together is the most important thing. It’s tough. You have to be put in a situation where no matter what happens, we stick together, fight for each other, play for each other. It’s a test we’re going through. Big adversity. Everyone here has a sense of urgency to win and try to win.”
Recent Performance Highlights Mets’ Inconsistencies
Despite Lindor’s encouragement, experts and analysts suggest that the Mets’ difficulties may stem from deeper problems beyond morale. Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post highlighted that the Mets have struggled mightily throughout the summer, losing 33 of their last 52 games before Friday’s series opener against the Seattle Mariners. This poor run of form has significantly hurt their playoff chances.
Further underscoring their struggles, Anthony DiComo of MLB pointed out the Mets’ troubling trend of surrendering leads. Since the end of July, the team has relinquished leads of various sizes in five games, ranging from a six-run advantage to slim one-run leads on multiple occasions. This defensive frailty and inability to close out games have been a consistent issue.
On Thursday, the loss was sealed in the eighth inning when the Braves rallied with two runs off Mets’ recent acquisition Ryan Helsley. Since joining the Mets from the St. Louis Cardinals after the trade deadline, Helsley has given up seven runs, three earned, across six appearances, illustrating the ongoing pitching challenges the team faces.
Playoff Picture Becoming Increasingly Difficult
Following this defeat, the Mets find themselves trailing the first-place Philadelphia Phillies by five games in the National League East standings. Simultaneously, the Cincinnati Reds, holding a 64-58 record, have closed in to within half a game, intensifying the competition for the final National League wild-card spot. The Mets are now in a precarious position where every game carries significant weight in the stretch run.
Manager Carlos Mendoza Acknowledges Trouble, Seeks Solutions
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza openly admitted the team’s poor form during a postgame interview Thursday night. He stressed the difficulty of their current situation but also expressed belief in the talent present on the roster.
“Obviously, we’re not playing well, but too much talent. We’re going through a really tough time now,”
Mendoza said.
“There’s a lot of good players there. We just have to get through this. We can’t look at the standings. We know where we’re at, not playing well, but right in the thick of things. We have to find a way.”
Pressure Mounts on Mets to Reverse Course Quickly
The Mets’ continued slide has led to rising speculation that Mendoza might lose his managerial position if the team fails to improve before the season’s end. The urgency to rediscover winning consistency is critical not only for the players and coaches but also for securing a postseason berth and preserving jobs. The next few weeks will be pivotal as the Mets confront major tests in performance and resolve.