Mets Fade from Playoff Contention After Crucial Loss
New York – The New York Mets, after nearly six months of regular season, have been displaced from the fight for the postseason in the National League. Sunday’s defeat, which culminated a disappointing weekend, prolongs a negative streak of more than three months, leaving fans with uncertainty just one week before the end of the season. The 3-2 loss to the last-place Washington Nationals at Citi Field was a game marked by errors and an ineffective offense. Two spectacular catches by Nationals center fielder Jacob Young sealed the fate of the game. This loss, combined with the Cincinnati Reds’ 1-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs, knocked the Mets out of the playoff zone for the first time since April 5th.That’s the way things have gone. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
Brandon Nimmo, Mets left fielder
Although both teams, the Mets and the Reds, have an 80-76 record with six games remaining, Cincinnati has the tiebreaker advantage after winning the season series. The Mets, who have lost 11 of their last 15 games, will close out the regular season with a road series against the Chicago Cubs and the Miami Marlins, starting Tuesday. For their part, Cincinnati hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates for three games before concluding their road schedule against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are also lurking, just one game behind the Reds and Mets in the National League’s third wild card spot. Arizona has the tiebreaker advantage over both teams.We have to win. It’s simple. Winning solves everything at this moment. We have to do it. That’s all. We have to solve our problems on the field.
Pete Alonso, Mets first baseman
The Mets, who had the best record in Major League Baseball (45-24) until June 12, seemed headed for the postseason. However, the current team has shown results opposite to those of the 2024 season, which had a difficult start but managed a comeback. Since June 13, the Mets, with the most expensive roster in the league, have a record of 35-52, tied for the fourth-worst record in that period.
According to FanGraphs, the Mets have a 50.1% chance of making the postseason, a figure far lower than the 96.2% they had on June 12.After an encouraging series against the San Diego Padres, the Mets won the first game of the series, but lost on Saturday in 11 innings due to an inside-the-park home run. On Sunday, early errors and Young’s defense sealed their defeat. In the first inning, Juan Soto was put out at first base. In the second, Francisco Lindor committed a throwing error that allowed the first run of the game to score.I haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact cause, but we haven’t performed as a team for an extended period.
Brandon Nimmo
If we want to be where we want to be, those things cannot happen. I take full responsibility. I have to improve.
Francisco Lindor
In the third inning, Cedric Mullins did not advance to second base after a line drive, a decision that potentially cost the Mets a run. Mullins thought the ball was caught, while first base coach Antoan Richardson believed the play was called foul. The ball was ruled fair and bounced out of Daylen Lile’s glove. Luis Torrens, who was on second base, hesitated as to whether Lile had made the catch, so he retreated and scored on the play. Mullins stayed on first base and was put out on the next play.
In the mound, the Mets used Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes, who together allowed three runs in six innings. Nasim Nunez’s home run was key for the Nationals. Young’s two spectacular catches in center field were crucial. The first, an acrobatic catch that robbed Brett Baty of extra bases. The second, denied a potential home run to Francisco Alvarez in the ninth inning.In the moment we’re in, every win matters. Seeing plays like that definitely deflates you a bit. We’ve had some tough losses. We have one week left. We’re going to do damage, so that’s what we’re focused on.
Cedric Mullins
