That 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night added to the growing wall of frustration surrounding this team lately. Juan Soto gave Citi Field a spark with a two-run shot earlier in the game, but that fizzled fast when he struck out on an eighth-pitch battle in the eighth inning. Tough lefty on the mound, a high-leverage moment, and yet again, the Mets came up just short. Per MLB’s Anthony DiComo, the Mets have 3 root problems causing their recent batting slump.
The Mets Can’t Stop Chasing
Let’s start with what’s driving everyone crazy: the chase rate. The Mets are swinging at stuff they have no business swinging at — 30% of pitches outside the strike zone during this ugly stretch. The league average is around 28%, and the Mets have blown past that in the wrong direction. Mendoza brought it up multiple times postgame, and for good reason.
Ronny Mauricio is chasing more than half the pitches he sees out of the zone. Alonso? Quietly regressing since early June. And Soto — who’s actually got the team’s best plate discipline right now — even he couldn’t hold back on a wicked 3-2 slider to end the eighth. It’s like a contagious habit, this chasing — and it’s killing rallies before they can even breathe.
Top-Heavy and Running on Fumes
Offensive production? More like a one-man band with a few backup dancers. Earlier this season, the Mets got key contributions from the bottom of the order — guys like Baty, McNeil, and Tyrone Taylor were punching above their weight. That’s not happening anymore. Since June 13, only Soto, Nimmo, Marte, and Lindor are putting up respectable wRC+ numbers.
Everyone else? It’s been a disappearing act. On Monday, hitters 4 through 8 went 0-for-18 with five strikeouts. You can’t lean on your top four to carry the whole offensive load night after night. Mendoza admitted it flat-out: “Once you get past the fourth or fifth batter — we’re having a hard time creating opportunities.” And it shows.
Brutal Stretch of Pitching
To be fair, the pitching they’ve faced has been brutal. In just the last 10 games, they’ve run into Rasmussen, Strider, Wheeler, Luzardo, and Sale before his injury. That’s a gauntlet. Even sophomore Spencer Schwellenbach, who’s still new to the league, has looked like a seasoned ace against New York.
Jeff McNeil said, “It feels like the top three from every team right now.” That’s not an excuse, but it does explain part of the struggle.
Time for More Than Just Hope
There is light ahead. The Mets dodge Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh this weekend and get Didier Fuentes instead of Chris Sale in their current series. July’s schedule isn’t nearly as intimidating. But here’s the reality — waiting for the competition to lighten up isn’t enough.
They have to tighten their plate discipline, get production from the full lineup, and stop letting every at-bat feel like a solo mission. Soto said it well: “Just keep trying, never give up.” That mindset matters.
