The series against Pittsburgh was a nightmare that no one in Queens wants to remember. The Mets arrived at PNC Park after a turbulent run, with just three wins in their last 13 games, and an alarming drop in collective performance. The matchup against the bottom of the table was expected to serve as a turning point, but it was quite the opposite. The Pirates not only beat them, they crushed them.
The 3-0 sweep felt like a blow to the heart of the team, especially as the cumulative run differential was outrageous: 30 to 9. The disaster was sealed on Sunday, with a 12-4 defeat that showed that the problems in New York are not temporary. Neither the pitching, nor the defense, nor the usual offensive power responded in one of the darkest weeks of the season.
Lindor and Mendoza: the message after the collapse
In the face of the storm, manager Carlos Mendoza was the first to take responsibility. “It’s frustrating, and obviously we’re all frustrated. I’m not going to lie, we’re better than that, and they know it,” he said after the last loss. Although he tried to maintain some optimism by stating that the team “will keep fighting,” he made it clear that facing the Brewers this week will be a bigger test. “We’re not happy with this. We have to give our best.”
Francisco Lindor did not shy away from the weight of the situation and was blunt. “The coaches have done an excellent job of preparing us; it’s our responsibility,” he said. His message was direct to the locker room. The infield leader wanted to make it clear that the talent is there, but that the execution has failed dramatically. The private meeting between players before the last game did not change the course, and the team ended up looking even more lost.
Stars off and a defense in crisis
The offensive slump has been as severe as it was unexpected. In the last game of the series, Lindor, Nimmo, Soto and Alonso managed just two hits combined in 15 at-bats. A figure that reflects more than a bad streak. It speaks of a total disconnection. The Mets scored just four runs in three games against one of the most accessible pitching staffs in the league.
In defense, the outlook was equally bleak. In each of the three games they allowed at least nine runs, a mark they had not suffered since 2007. Not even the return of a Juan Soto in great form, with a .322 average, 11 home runs and an OPS of 1.196 in June, could make up for the lack of synchronicity in the team. While the Dominican has been the most productive in the lineup, there is no way to win if the rest do not accompany him.
With morale low and the fans angry, the Mets return home with two key series ahead. First they will face a surging Brewers team with eight wins in their last 10 games. Then comes the main course: the series against the Yankees over the Independence Day weekend. It will be the ideal time to try to get back on track and regain confidence.
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