Mets Struggles Continue as Braves Come to Town
The New York Mets, after finally halting a seven-game losing streak with a resounding victory in Philadelphia, faced disappointment last night against the same team. With a record of 46 wins and 32 losses, they now find themselves trailing the Philadelphia Phillies by a single game in the National League East division. This marks the second instance this season in which the Mets have squandered a five-game lead over the Phillies. As they prepare to host the Atlanta Braves, who recently swept them in a three-game series in Atlanta, the stakes are high for this four-game showdown beginning tonight at Citi Field.
Mets’ Recent Performance: A Summary of Struggles
The Mets’ woes have intensified since pitcher Kodai Senga was sidelined with a hamstring injury on June 12. Although they managed to win that game, they have recorded only one victory against eight losses in the nine games following it. During this difficult period, the Mets rank 24th in Major League Baseball with an 88 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) and are 27th overall with just 28 runs scored.
Rotational Setbacks and Bullpen Blues
Once the pride of the pitching staff, the Mets’ rotation has seen significant decline, currently holding a 6.37 ERA, placing them 29th in the league. Furthermore, their FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 5.29 indicates that this ERA is not entirely misleading concerning their recent performances. Adding to the misery, the bullpen has also struggled, boasting a 6.38 ERA, which is 28th during this downturn. Their FIP of 4.16 is mildly more favorable, yet it still hovers around the middle tier of MLB relievers.
Braves’ Season: Mixed Results and Injuries
Turning the spotlight to the Atlanta Braves, their performance has not escaped scrutiny, as they follow their recent sweep of the Mets with two losses in a three-game series against the Miami Marlins over the weekend. Adding to their troubles, the Braves will be without star pitcher Chris Sale, who has landed on the injured list with a fractured rib cage after facing the Mets last week. Their season overall has not been impressive; scoring an average of only 4.20 runs per game, Atlanta’s offense has underperformed this season.
Run Prevention: A Silver Lining for the Braves
On the defensive side, however, the Braves have fared better, allowing only 3.87 runs per game, according to league averages, placing them eighth best overall in MLB. Interestingly, despite their recent challenges, the Mets maintain a stellar run prevention average, allowing only 3.67 runs per game, ranking them fourth in the league. Concerns arise, however, regarding the pitching staff’s consistency after a string of disappointing outings.
Weather Forecast: Unusual Heat in Flushing
As the series unfolds in Queens, the weather forecast suggests temperatures typical of the South rather than the Northeast. For the next several days, Flushing is expected to experience extreme heat, with highs projected at 97, 101, 95, and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Given these conditions, it’s fortunate that all four games will take place at night. However, the potential for thunderstorms looms over Thursday’s game, which could complicate matters for both teams.
A Look Ahead: Upcoming Pitching Matchups
Monday, June 23: Paul Blackburn vs. Spencer Schwellenbach, 7:10 PM EDT on WPIX
Blackburn (2025): 13.0 IP, 8 K, 4 BB, 1 HR, 6.92 ERA, 3.76 FIP, 176 ERA-
The early-season performance from Paul Blackburn leaves much to be desired as he has struggled significantly, letting down fans who were hopeful for his debut season.
Schwellenbach (2025): 96.2 IP, 92 K, 16 BB, 12 HR, 3.26 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 79 ERA-
Spencer Schwellenbach, while showing considerable promise, has faced challenges with home runs, a situation the Mets could exploit to regain some offensive momentum.
Tuesday, June 24: Frankie Montas vs. Spencer Strider, 7:10 PM EDT on SNY
Montas (2025): N/A
Making his debut as a Met, Frankie Montas comes off a rough minor league stint, raising concerns about his readiness.
Strider (2025): 37.0 IP, 45 K, 13 BB, 5 HR, 3.89 ERA, 3.77 FIP, 94 ERA-
Spencer Strider has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy but has faced inconsistency that the Mets will look to capitalize on.
Wednesday, June 25: Clay Holmes vs. Didier Fuentes, 7:10 PM EDT on SNY
Holmes (2025): 83.0 IP, 73 K, 31 BB, 9 HR, 3.04 ERA, 3.99 FIP, 77 ERA-
Clay Holmes appears to be finding his groove, boasting a solid ERA, although his last outing featured some troubling metrics.
Fuentes (2025): 5.0 IP, 3 K, 1 BB, 1 HR, 7.20 ERA, 5.07 FIP, 175 ERA-
Didier Fuentes has had a shaky start at the MLB level but accumulated a more favorable ERA across various minor leagues this season.
Thursday, June 26: Griffin Canning vs. Grant Holmes, 7:10 PM EDT on SNY
Canning (2025): 73.2 IP, 67 K, 35 BB, 8 HR, 3.91 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 100 ERA-
Despite an impressive start to the season, Griffin Canning has faced difficulties in recent outings, indicating a troubling trend.
Holmes (2025): 85.0 IP, 97 K, 39 BB, 14 HR, 3.64 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 90 ERA-
The 29-year-old Grant Holmes offers a mix of solid strikeouts but will need to rein in walks and home runs for continued success.
Fan Sentiment: Poll Results on Series Expectations
In a recent poll, fans expressed their hopes for how the Mets will perform in this crucial four-game series against the Braves. Here is how the votes break down:
- 4% – Fans firmly believe the Mets will sweep!
- 12% – The optimism remains for a potential win of three out of four.
- 43% – A more realistic stance sees the series split.
- 21% – Acknowledging current form, some expect the Mets to lose three of four.
- 9% – A minority fears a complete sweep by the Braves.
Overall Sentiment and Upcoming Series
The Mets have their work cut out for them as they face a team that has shown it can dominate if given the chance. With the weather conditions adding an unusual element, this series could play a pivotal role in shaping the remainder of the season for both teams. In this critical milieu, the Mets aim to regain their footing against the Braves, who present both challenges and opportunities.