The New York Mets’ difficulties at Citi Field have reached a new level of tension as manager Carlos Mendoza openly criticized the starting rotation, including Kodai Senga, as a major factor in the team‘s recent decline. With the Mets sitting at a 66-58 record and trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by five games in the National League East, Mendoza highlighted how inconsistent starting pitching has contributed to the team’s recent troubles.
August has been especially problematic, with the Mets starting pitchers posting a 6.22 ERA, forcing the bullpen into heavy, unsustainable workloads.
Mendoza Calls Out Pitching Performance in Candid Remarks
During an appearance on Foul Territory on X, Mendoza did not hold back in assigning responsibility for the team’s decline. He explained how eight of the Mets’ eleven losses in August were linked directly to bullpen problems created by starters failing to last deep into games. He said,
“It starts with the starting pitching, and we haven’t been able to get that consistency from them,”
making it clear that the starting rotation is the team’s biggest weakness.
Though Mendoza briefly acknowledged Kodai Senga’s last start positively, noting,
“I felt like Kodai Senga in his last outing finally getting to the sixth inning, followed by McLean, who gave us five solid innings,”
even this praise carried an undertone of frustration, as the use of the word “finally” suggested that such performances remain exceptions rather than the norm. He added,
“There’s a lot of talent there, and I’m pretty sure we’ll get through this,”
yet his tone conveyed uncertainty about when that turnaround might happen.
Injury Woes Exacerbate Mets’ Pitching Crisis
Mendoza also described how injuries have complicated the Mets’ pitching situation, forcing him to rely heavily on minor league call-ups and spot starters. With starters often reaching nearly 90 pitches by the fourth inning, Mendoza questioned how much longer he could push them. He expressed this clearly, stating,
“The guys are almost 90 pitches in the fourth inning, so how much can I push them?”
The result has been an overburdened bullpen struggling to cover high numbers of outs night after night. Mendoza lamented,
“If I put someone on in the fourth inning, it’s hard to keep getting 15 outs every night with the bullpen.”
This blunt assessment underscored the need for better performances from the starters or risk losing the season altogether.
Player Injuries Deepen Mets’ Challenges
The Mets’ season has been further strained by additional injuries amid an already tumultuous campaign. Young catcher Francisco Alvarez suffered a thumb injury during a headfirst dive into second base against the Seattle Mariners. Despite hitting a double in the seventh inning, Alvarez had to leave the game early, a factor in the Mets’ hard-fought 7-3 win. This latest setback epitomizes the ongoing adversity facing the franchise.
Implications for the Mets’ Season Outlook
Carlos Mendoza’s pointed critique signals growing frustration within the Mets organization as they battle against injuries and inconsistent pitching. With the starting rotation, led by Kodai Senga, failing to deliver dependable innings, the bullpen is stretched thin, raising concerns about the team’s ability to compete in the playoff race. How well the Mets can address these pitching issues in the coming weeks will be critical to salvaging their season and closing the gap in the National League East.