During the first 106 games of the campaign, Juan Soto was a difficult figure to ignite, despite good overall numbers, his performance with runners in scoring position was an obvious blemish, hitting just .185 with an OPS of .700 and just 37 RBIs. In a team with playoff aspirations, his inability to produce in key moments raised many doubts.
But within weeks, Soto turned his bat on like never before this year, and in his last 25 games in that situation he is hitting .400 with an impressive 1.156 OPS and 10 more RBIs. Most tellingly, he has reached base in his last 10 consecutive appearances with runners in scoring position, a clear sign that he is fully connected when they need him most.
Juan Soto’s impact and the Mets’ late-season push in the 2025 MLB season
Soto’s resurgence has been an essential part of the New York Mets resurgence, as they have won eight of their last 11 games, including a sweep of the Phillies that put them just four games out of the division lead. The team has caught fire at just the right time and so has its Dominican superstar.
The Dominican has 32 home runs, 79 RBIs and a career-high 22 stolen bases, all with an .879 OPS that once again puts him among the most feared in the National League.
Decisive schedule and young blood: Mets go all-in in September
With only 29 games remaining, the margin for error is minimal, and the Mets have key series ahead against the Marlins, Tigers, Reds and Phillies, knowing that their place in the postseason is at stake. They currently hold a 4.5-game lead over Cincinnati for the last wild-card spot.
In addition, the club has found unexpected support in its rotation, with rookie Nolan McLean boasting a 0.89 ERA in 20.2 innings, and this week he will be joined by another young talent, Jonan Tong, who will make his debut as a starter on Friday. The mix of youth on the mound and Soto’s offensive leadership has the Mets dreaming of October.
After an inconsistent start in pressure situations, Juan Soto has returned to being that unstoppable game-changing hitter. His production with runners in scoring position has been key to the Mets’ late-season surge, who now see the possibility of making the postseason closer.
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