Introduction to the Mets’ Current Situation
The New York Mets, with their high payroll and wealth of talent, are facing a dire situation as they no longer control their postseason destiny. Following a disappointing loss to the Washington Nationals, coupled with the Cincinnati Reds’ win over the Chicago Cubs, the Mets have fallen out of a playoff spot for the first time since April 5.
Carlos Mendoza, the team’s manager, has continuously sustained himself on the belief that his team simply has too much talent to miss the postseason. However, nourishment is growing scarce, and the team’s chances of making the playoffs are dwindling.
The Team’s Struggle and Frustration
The Mets have fallen out of a playoff spot for the first time since April 5, a stunning collapse nearly complete. Just six games remain in the regular season for Mendoza’s men to scramble out of the mess they’ve created, a stretch that begins Tuesday in Chicago against the playoff-bound Cubs. Shortstop Francisco Lindor expressed the team’s frustration, saying, "There’s definitely some frustration, but at the end of the day, we’re professionals. We got to continue to push to play the game the right way, go out there, and day in and day out get it done."
The Mets’ Poor Performance
Since starting the year 45-24, the Mets have been one of the worst teams in the game with a 35-51 record. This is shockingly poor for a team with the highest payroll in baseball and a wealth of talent within its lineup, whether it be Lindor, the $765 million Juan Soto, or Pete Alonso. The offense’s shoulders bear a significant amount of blame, despite David Stearns’ spectacular failure and building a reliable, veteran rotation.
The Team’s Hope for a Turnaround
Mendoza believes that the team is close to turning things around, saying, "You look at the talent there, and we’re one hit away, making one play, making one pitch. We’re close. We just haven’t been able to get the last hit, to make that play when we need to, or to execute a pitch. So it could happen." However, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson said it best, "Close don’t count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."
The Final Stretch
The final stretch is anything but easy. The Cubs are going to win 90 games this season, and after a three-game set at Wrigley, they travel to Miami, where the Marlins not only have been a constant thorn in the Mets’ sides for decades, but they have also been one of the bigger surprises in the National League. With 76 wins, Clayton McCullough is going to receive Manager of the Year votes. Lindor said, "The ups and downs are a real thing, and hopefully, in this next week, we can ride a high and hopefully be in a position where we get to where we want to be."
Conclusion
The Mets’ situation is dire, but the team still believes that something special could happen. As pitcher Clay Holmes said, "When we get hot, things get hot. People feed off each other. If a couple things go our way, something special could happen. It’s happened before, and I think everybody here still believes that." The team’s fate is uncertain, but one thing is clear: they need to win to make the playoffs.
FAQs
Q: What is the Mets’ current situation?
A: The Mets have fallen out of a playoff spot for the first time since April 5 and no longer control their postseason destiny.
Q: What is the team’s record since starting the year 45-24?
A: The Mets have been one of the worst teams in the game with a 35-51 record.
Q: Who is the team’s manager?
A: Carlos Mendoza is the team’s manager.
Q: What is the team’s hope for a turnaround?
A: The team believes that they are close to turning things around and that something special could happen if they can get hot and ride a high.
Q: What is the final stretch of the season like for the Mets?
A: The final stretch is anything but easy, with games against the Cubs and Marlins, two strong teams in the National League.
