The New York Mets are watching their playoff hopes slip away during the worst possible time. What started as the majors’ best record through June 11 has turned into a precarious half-game lead over the San Francisco Giants for the final National League wild-card spot.
Eight straight losses will do that to you.
The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t making things easier, sitting just 1 1/2 and two games back respectively. For a team that looked like a lock for October baseball just months ago, this is their third losing streak of at least seven games this season.
Their second of the second half alone.
What’s killing the Mets isn’t necessarily their pitching or defense – it’s the bats going silent when they need them most. Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor headline this lineup, but the team hasn’t scored more than four runs during this entire skid. They’ve hit that mark exactly once.
That’s not going to cut it against quality opponents like Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Texas – the type of teams you face in playoff races.
Here’s the thing though: the schedule actually favors New York down the stretch. With 13 games remaining, the Mets have the second-easiest remaining strength of schedule among the four teams battling for that final wild-card spot. The Giants have it even easier, but Cincinnati and Arizona face schedules that rank among the seven most difficult in baseball.
The Mets wrap up their series against the Rangers on Sunday with Noah McLean taking the mound. Since his late-season debut with New York, McLean’s been exactly what this team needs – going 4-1 with a 1.42 ERA across five starts.
If there’s ever a time for his best effort, it’s now. The Mets need to shake off this skid before those pursuing teams start breathing down their necks even more.
