In a critical matchup against the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the New York Mets suffered another defeat, falling 8-3. The game marked Jacob deGrom’s emotional return to Citi Field following his departure in free agency, as well as a disappointing performance by rookie starter Jonah Tong. With this loss, the Mets’ losing streak has now reached seven games, putting their hold on a playoff spot in serious jeopardy.
As the Mets look ahead to Saturday’s games, they cling to a slim half-game lead over the San Francisco Giants and a 1 ½ game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the National League’s third and final wild card position. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo expressed the team’s concern, stating, “We want to be in the playoffs and we’re not playing playoff baseball right now.”
The Mets’ recent struggles are a stark contrast to their position in the NL East standings just over a month ago when they held the top spot on August 2. However, their current 12-game deficit behind the Philadelphia Phillies is the largest gap between first and second place in any division. The team’s downward spiral includes a dismal 14-25 record since the beginning of August.
One of the primary factors contributing to the Mets’ downfall has been the collapse of their starting rotation. Despite making strategic moves last winter, including converting All-Star closer Clay Holmes to a starter and bringing in pitchers like Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, and Griffin Canning, injuries and underperformance have plagued the rotation. The absence of Manaea and Montas due to injuries early in the season exposed the team’s lack of depth, despite their strong start.
As the Mets face the daunting prospect of missing the playoffs with one of the MLB’s highest Opening Day payrolls, fans are left wondering if the team can turn things around before it’s too late. The urgency is palpable as New York strives to regain their footing in the heated NL wild card race and salvage their postseason aspirations. Stay tuned for more updates as the Mets fight to break their losing streak and secure a spot in the playoffs.
