Back in April, someone should have warned the New York Mets that pride often precedes a downfall. The team is experiencing a rough 3-13 run since June 13, yet they remain just 1.5 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East.
Typically, this wouldn’t be alarming. The New York Yankees are also struggling in June and, like the Mets, their roster has notable flaws.
However, the Mets face even more significant concerns. It’s not due to their 15-year, $765 million contract with outfielder Juan Soto. Soto has been impressive, batting .322 in June with 11 home runs, raising his average to .258 and his home run count to 20.
The Mets’ primary issue is being swept by the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates over the weekend, getting outscored 30-4 in three games. Pittsburgh’s 12 runs on Sunday marked their season high. Alarmingly, New York didn’t even face NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes.
Adding to their woes, the winning pitchers for two of the games were relievers Carmen Mlodzinski and Braxton Ashcraft.
Pitching problems are at the heart of the Mets’ 3-13 slump. Their hitting struggles compound the inability of the pitchers to sustain leads. The pitching staff’s struggles are no surprise.
Griffin Canning has torn his Achilles. Tylor Megill is dealing with elbow soreness. Kodai Senga is sidelined with a strained hamstring from a fielding mishap.
Veteran left-hander Sean Manaea, after signing a three-year, $75 million deal, has yet to start in 2025 due to oblique and elbow injuries, with no return date in sight.
Who remains to pitch in Flushing? Lefty David Peterson shows some promise but is 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA in three starts since shutting out Washington on June 11. Frankie Montas was hit hard by the Pirates, allowing six runs in a Sunday loss. Clay Holmes is approaching 100 innings and, despite pitching well, fatigue may soon be a factor.
With added bullpen games, the Mets have a full rotation.
Fortunately for the Mets, it’s not a total disaster. Though struggling, the Phillies are too. It resembles the Yankees’ 9-18 stretch from mid-June to the All-Star Break last year, which Baltimore failed to capitalize on. Similarly, Philadelphia hasn’t increased their lead.
The upcoming trade deadline provides hope as David Stearns is likely to pursue pitching reinforcements. This won’t resolve the Mets’ mediocre offense or their 29th-ranked .217 average with runners in scoring position (RISP). However, it could help keep games competitive, holding out hope for a breakout performance from the lineup.
For now, expect opponents to exploit the Mets’ faltering staff and seize opportunities.
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