In Washington for the final series, the Mets dropped two out of three to the Nationals. Consequently, the Mets finished with a 74-88 record, last place in the NL East. It is New York’s first time finishing in the bottom of the division since 2003. The team’s 74 wins are the franchise’s lowest since 2017.

While there were plenty of positives to emerge from the season, particularly down the stretch, the 2026 season will be remembered as a monumental failure.

We’ll do a full autopsy on Tuesday, but first, let’s recap the Nationals series in the final regular edition of 3 Up, 3 Down of the year…

Carson Benge by Roberto Carlo

3 UP

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Carson Benge deserves to be named the National League Rookie of the Year. Whether he wins the award remains to be seen, but he couldn’t have done much else. The outfielder capped off a truly special rookie season with just a masterful series in Washington. The weekend started with history being made, with Benge hitting his 20th home run of the year to become the first Mets rookie in franchise history to join the 20/20 club. If that wasn’t enough, Benge then followed that up with back-to-back three-hit games. He finished with 14 such games in the year. Overall, Benge looks like an absolute stud, and his future with the Mets appears very bright.

MILESTONE MAN

I feel like Francisco Lindor deserves a mention here. The 2026 season was overall tough for Lindor, but he finished in style. The shortstop signed off the year by hitting his 300th career home run in the final game of the season. As a result, Lindor is now the only primary shortstop in MLB history to record 300 home runs and 200 stolen bases. Lindor’s 300 homers are also the seventh-most in MLB history among Puerto Rican-born players. All told, it was a nice way for Lindor to end what was arguably the toughest year of his career. Don’t be surprised if he bounces back emphatically in 2027.

YOUNG HOPE

The final series of the year provided plenty of encouragement thanks to Ronny Mauricio and Jonah Tong. For Tong, the young starter was excellent on the mound on Saturday, striking out nine while allowing just one run on three hits over five stellar innings. He showed plenty of upside in his final start, calming some of the fears that hovered over him following an uneven year in the minors. Overall, Tong finishes 2026 with a 3.82 ERA, and he’s set himself up to compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training. Mauricio, meanwhile, had himself a monster series. The infielder hit two home runs with three RBIs on Saturday, before blasting another homer with two RBIs on Sunday. While his future remains uncertain, Mauricio flashed his upside, and maybe he could be an option at second base.

Jun 13, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea (59) walks back to the dugout after the top of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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PUT OUT OF THEIR MISERY

The 2026 season is finally over. A long and hugely disappointing 162-game schedule is now complete. Following a loss in the series opener on Friday, the Mets were officially consigned to last place in the NL East for the first time since 2003. While the result is no surprise, the franchise should still be embarrassed by how this season unfolded. And while there is hope for the future, the team will need to wear the stink of 2026 for a while.

FINISHING WEAK

The Sean Manaea outlook remains murky for the Mets. The veteran finished a complicated season on a low note. Taking the ball in the series finale, Manaea blew a 4-1 lead and gave up five earned runs on seven hits over six tough innings. Consequently, the lefty finished with a 4.78 ERA on the year after allowing 32 earned runs over his final eight starts. With a need to fortify the rotation, what the Mets decide to do with Manaea remains to be seen.

DOOMED FROM THE START

The Mets knew they had a chance to avoid finishing in last place in the division. However, that small chance was quickly wiped out in the series opener. Going with an opener, the Mets were effectively doomed from the start. Jefry Yan allowed two runs as the opener before Jonathan Pintaro allowed three earned runs on three wild pitches. Ultimately, the bullpen let the Mets down on Friday, sealing their fate as bottom dwellers.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Finish 2026 With Nats Series Loss appeared first on Metsmerized.

In the penultimate series of the year, the Mets took two out of three from a Texas Rangers team fighting for their playoff lives. There were yet more signs of encouragement for next year.

Furthermore, it also proved to be a significant few days off the field too. The Mets gave Andy Green the manager’s job on a full-time basis, before hiring Derek Falvey to the front office.

Let’s recap everything from the Texas series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

3 UP

RIGHT DECISION

The Mets ticked off a major piece of offseason business early by hiring Green as the franchise’s next manager on a full-time basis. Kudos to owner Steve Cohen and the front office for getting Green to change his mind. It has become crystal clear that Green is the right man for the job. He knows how to push and develop young players. He clearly has the respect of the veterans. And he’s been able to push all the right buttons with this team since taking over on an interim basis. Plus, with so many young players breaking through, Green is clearly the right voice for this franchise at the perfect time. The Mets will now be able to focus on addressing the flaws of this roster and adding key pieces to the young core.

ACIN’ IT UP

I think the Mets can be pretty confident about the future with Nolan McLean. The righty has emerged as a potential future ace for this team, and he finished a stellar rookie campaign on a high in Texas. McLean delivered seven gutsy innings of two-run ball with five strikeouts on Wednesday. As a result, he will finish this season with a 3.16 ERA. Not only does McLean own filthy stuff, but he has the heart and the intangibles needed to be an elite front-end starter for the Mets. Don’t be surprised if he’s even better in 2027.

TAKING STOCK

The final stretch of the season has acted as a useful evaluation tool for the Mets as they look ahead to 2027. Therefore, Devin Williams‘ successful return will have provided some encouragement. The reliever came off the IL and delivered a perfect inning in his return on Wednesday. Now, it was just one outing, but Williams did look very good against a team trying to clinch a postseason berth. If Williams can enjoy a strong finish, then that will give the Mets some more clarity as they look to rebuild their bullpen for next year.

Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

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FRUSTRATING FINISH

Christian Scott‘s 2026 season did not finish the way he would have wanted it to. The righty was placed on the IL with left knee inflammation. The Mets will be hoping that Scott can recover quickly and be ready for spring training. Still, it was a successful season for Scott, who posted a 3.85 ERA with 134 strikeouts in his return from Tommy John surgery.

WHAT NEXT?

What do the Mets do about Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Francisco Alvarez? Vientos went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in Texas, and he looks like a probable non-tender candidate. However, on the flip side, both Baty and Alvarez were red-hot against the Rangers. Baty stayed hot with a big series, including hitting a grand slam in the second game of the series. Alvarez, meanwhile, had four hits in two games, including two doubles, two runs scored, and two RBIs in the series opener. However, Baty tends to burn bright before burning fast, while Alvarez has been a non-factor for most of the year. Therefore, the duo’s exploits in this series only complicate things for the Mets, who must decide what to do with the Baby Mets once and for all this offseason.

NO-SHOW

The Mets could have swept this series, but the offense had other ideas. The lineup recorded just four hits in the series finale, while striking out seven times. There wasn’t much luck with runners in scoring position, either, with the lineup going 1-for-5, leaving three runners stranded on base. As good as the offense has been under Green, we saw in the finale that there are important holes that will need to be filled in the winter. 

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Come Out On Top In Texas appeared first on Metsmerized.

In what was the final home series of the year, the Mets split with the Phillies, with both teams winning two games apiece. Some inconsistent pitching didn’t help.

As a result, the Mets finished the 2026 season 36-45 at home, which sums up just how disappointing this season has been. The team also bid an emotional farewell to iconic Hall of Fame broadcaster Howie Rose.

On that note, let’s recap everything from the Phillies series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Carson Benge by Roberto Carlo

3 UP

FAREWELL, HOWIE

The Mets got a chance to say goodbye to a franchise icon over the weekend. Howie Rose, the beloved Mets broadcaster, put it in the books for one final time on Sunday. Despite the fact that Howe’s retirement ceremony was postponed because of bad weather, fans and players were still able to show their appreciation to Howie. As much a part of the fabric of the Mets as anyone, Howie deserves all of the love and adulation he’s currently getting. It will be strange not to hear him on the radio broadcast anymore.

HOMEGROWN DELIGHT

Mets fans have a new homegrown stud to cherish. Carson Benge continues to show why he could be the future of this team. The outfielder is having a dream rookie year, which was on full display over the weekend. Benge became the Mets’ new rookie hit king after tallying his 156th hit of the year on Saturday. Furthermore, Benge hit his 19th homer of the year. As a result, he is now one homer short of joining the 20/20 club. Benge looks every inch a potential future franchise player for the team. If that wasn’t enough, he plays the game the right way and is incredibly easy to root for.

EYE ON THE FUTURE

All four of the Mets’ young starters got the ball in this series. Three of the young arms really stood out. It started on Thursday when Nolan McLean allowed just one run with five strikeouts over six stellar innings. Zac Thornton flashed his toughness on Friday by striking out four over six innings of two-run ball. Then, on Saturday, Christian Scott allowed three runs but struck out seven over 4.2 innings in a laugher of a win for the Mets. All in all, the Mets got an encouraging glimpse at their future with their three young starters all impressing.

Jonah Tong by Roberto Carlo

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SCARY MOMENT

Some things are bigger than baseball. That was the case on Thursday when Jared Young was carted off the field following a collision with Nolan McLean. The infielder was taken to the hospital and underwent tests following what was just a really scary scene. Thankfully, while he has a concussion, Young has since been discharged from the hospital and has full motion in his arms and legs. He is also able to walk. However, it was still a really scary moment and a tough way for Young’s exceptional season to end.

KILLER BLOW

The Mets were down by just two runs in the series finale on Sunday, with a chance to still play spoiler. However, Kodai Senga came in and gave up a three-run triple to Justin Crawford, putting the game out of reach. While wins and losses don’t matter, it still would have been great if the Mets could have taken the series. Plus, it raises fresh questions about Senga’s future role with this team.

MISSTEP

Speaking of players needing to impress, Jonah Tong suffered a slight setback over the weekend. The young pitcher struggled, allowing four earned runs and four walks over 4.2 innings. Tong didn’t have his best stuff, and he faced a lot of traffic. Now, while it was just one start, finishing strong was always going to be important for Tong as he looks to force his way into the rotation in 2027.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Finish Home Schedule With Series Split appeared first on Metsmerized.

In a series dominated and overshadowed by Alonso’s homecoming, the Mets were swept by the O’s. As a result, they have now lost four straight.

It was a weird week with fans making their love for Alonso and their unhappiness at the front office both perfectly known. However, the bottom line is that the season is drawing to a close. Mets fans will no doubt be glad to wave goodbye to 2026.

Before we get there, though, let’s unpack everything from the Orioles series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Pete Alonso by Roberto Carlo

3 UP

HAPPY HOMECOMING

Personally, it was heartwarming to see the reception Pete Alonso got in his eagerly anticipated return to Queens. And it was nice that fans got to let Alonso know just how much he meant to the franchise. Personally, I don’t think the cheers or the curtain call should be seen as an indictment on the current team. Rather, this week gave the Mets fans an opportunity to properly say goodbye to Alonso and celebrate all that he meant to them. Alonso should have been a forever Met. His exploits this week, including hitting his career 300th home run, show just how much he’s missed, too.

FLASHING HIS TALENT

Jonah Tong hasn’t really put a step wrong since getting called back up. He was stellar in his latest start on Monday, striking out six while not allowing an earned run over six hugely encouraging innings. Furthermore, Tong threw 57 of his 83 pitches for strikes (68.6 percent), and he looked incredibly confident on the mound. If Tong can continue to finish this season with a flourish, then he will be in a really good spot to compete come spring training.

EARNING A SPOT

Nate Lavender is certainly doing all he can to be a part of this bullpen in 2027. The lefty has really emerged this year, and he had a great outing in this series. That came on Tuesday when Lavender struck out four over 1 2/3 scoreless innings. As a result, Lavender now owns a 1.59 ERA on the year. With filthy stuff and the results to match, Lavender looks set to give the Mets a really dangerous lefty option out of the bullpen next year.

Xzavion Curry

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MISDIRECTED BOOS

Caught in the crossfire of the Alonso homecoming was Jonah Tong. The young pitcher walked the former Met in the third inning of Monday’s game, drawing boos from the home crowd. Now, it is important to remember that fans were booing the outcome, with Alonso chasing his 300th career home run. They likely weren’t booing Tong himself. However, it was probably hard to tell in that moment. Given that Tong has suffered from low confidence before, it was the one moment of the week that wasn’t a good look.

DOOMED FROM THE START

It turned out to be quite the day for Xzavion Curry. Called back up to the bigs, Curry ended up starting the game due to Robert Stock going on the IL. Well, things didn’t go great. Curry ended up allowing four home runs and six earned runs over just three innings. Curry’s early implosion ultimately doomed the Mets, while casting doubt over his future with the team.

SHUT DOWN

While the Orioles benefitted from a power surge, the Mets suffered in this series because of a lack of offense. The lineup managed just seven runs across the three games, including scoring just one run in two of the three losses. There was no clutch hitting, the big hit was missing all series, and an army of base runners were left stranded on base. Over the current four-game losing streak, the Mets have scored just eight runs. As a result, we were reminded that this offense still needs a lot of work during the offseason.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Powered Aside By Orioles In Sweep appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets and the Yankees met for the second Subway Series of the year, with the series opener taking place on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The pregame ceremony made for an emotional event, with both the Mets and the Yankees doing New York proud.

On the field, the Mets lost two out of three to drop this series. However, the two city rivals split the yearly series three games apiece, with both teams winning the three-game series they hosted.

On that note, let’s recap everything from the weekend in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

STATEMENT GAME

Zac Thornton rose to the occasion. The rookie was sensational in his Subway Series debut, providing seven innings of two-run ball while allowing five hits, one walk and four strikeouts. Thornton was also incredibly efficient, needing fewer than 12 pitches per inning. The lefty continues to show his mental fortitude. Coming off his worst start of the year, Thornton largely shut down the contending Yankees. No matter what is thrown his way, he takes it in stride and seems to thrive under pressure. Thornton’s resiliency and mental toughness, along with his talent, could well make him a big part of the 2027 roster.

YANKEES KILLER

Francisco Lindor entered the weekend hitting .310/.388/.569 with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs in 61 career games against the Yankees. Well, the shortstop gave the Bronx Bombers more nightmares in this series, including a monster day on Saturday. Lindor hit a leadoff homer and a grand slam, finishing with five RBIs to lead the Mets to a big win. More importantly, he’s looking more like his old self offensively.

DO IT ALL CARSON

Carson Benge continues to show that he’s the real deal. The rookie seems to be able to do everything at such a high level, and he’s a thrill to watch. Benge broke his 18-game skid without a homer by hitting a solo blast on Saturday. He also made a superb diving catch to rob Aaron Judge in the same game. Benge is putting together an impressive all-round rookie season. He also plays the game the right way and is just so easy to root for. 

Nolan McLean by Berto Carlo

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NOT MEETING THE MOMENT

Nolan McLean laid an egg in his Subway Series debut. The rookie struggled, allowing five earned runs on a career-high 10 hits. He also gave up a homer on his curveball for the first time in his career, with Cody Bellinger‘s three-run home run proving to be the difference. McLean didn’t have it, and while not a big game for the Mets, he will want to return to form when it comes to pitching on the big stage.

HOT AND COLD

Offense, or a lack of it, proved to be the Mets’ undoing in the Bronx. The lineup managed just four runs and seven hits in the series opener, while going 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position, leaving seven runners stranded on base. Of course, the offense exploded in the middle game of the series, before being shut out on Sunday for the 14th time this year. It seems this lineup, although improved, still has problems when facing great pitching.

NOT IMPROVING

We seem to talk about Francisco Alvarez in a negative light every week, but for good reason. The catcher seems to be going backwards. He went a combined 1-for-6 with one walk and two strikeouts in two games against the Yankees. He struggles with runners in scoring position, he swings at everything, and there just seems to be no tangible improvement. There should now be real concern for the Mets as it pertains to just how much they can rely on Alvarez in 2027 and beyond.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Falter In The Bronx appeared first on Metsmerized.

On the way to sweeping the Marlins on the road, the Mets scored a combined 31 runs. However, on the flip side, they also gave up a combined 23 runs in a series heavy on offense.

The offense saved the day on Wednesday when bad pitching led to a huge blown lead, and nearly another late in the game. As a result of the sweep, the Mets are no longer in last place in the NL East. Furthermore, they’ve now won eight of their last 11 games.

On that note, let’s dive into another edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Juan Soto by Berto Carlo

3 UP

FLASHES OF PROMISE

We got another long-awaited glimpse at Jonah Tong. The young pitcher was called back up and got the start on Monday. He showed some good and bad. The good was seven strikeouts over four innings. The bad was four earned runs allowed on four hits. What is important to note, however, is that Tong recovered after giving up a three-run homer, allowing just two baserunners over his final three innings. In short, there’s plenty to work with Tong, but he showed enough to be encouraged about.

BACK ON THE HORSE

We talked about A.J. Ewing waking up from his slumber last time out, but it is worth talking about again. Because since then, the rookie has continued to show plenty at the plate. He went a combined 7-for-13 with two runs scored and five RBIs in the Miami series. That’s what you call snapping a skid. It is also encouraging that Ewing was able to work through his struggles, make the necessary adjustments, and come through it. That’s a huge positive.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION

Boy, the bats were red-hot in this series. The Mets scored a combined 31 runs across the three games. They also got contributions from up and down the lineup. Juan Soto had three RBIs and three walks in the series. Francisco Lindor hit two home runs with four RBIs. Carson Benge and Bo Bichette continue to contribute at a high clip. Then, in the series finale, Ewing, Brett Baty, Christopher Morel, and Luis Torrens combined for 10 hits, seven runs scored, and 10 RBIs. Baty continues to show why the Mets are reluctant to give up on him, while Jared Young also stayed hot in Miami. All in all, while there is work to be done, the building blocks of a potent offense appear to be in place.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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HEART ATTACK BASEBALL

The Mets put us all through it on Wednesday. On what was Opening Night in the NFL, the Mets and the Marlins combined to put up a football score. While the offense stepped up, the pitching did not. Chris Devenski was charged with five runs to help blow an 8-0 lead. Three more relievers then combined to allow another six earned runs as the Mets nearly blew another huge lead in the ninth. Thankfully, the team held on, but there is certainly plenty of work that needs to be done in the offseason when it comes to the bullpen.

FADING FAST

Sean Manaea continues to generate confusion. The lefty owned a perfect game through five innings on Tuesday, before imploding in the sixth. The end result was four earned runs allowed on five hits. Manaea has seemingly hit a wall with 23 earned runs and seven home runs allowed over his last five starts alone. More importantly, Manaea really struggles the deeper he gets into games, and that would suggest that maybe his days as an effective starter are indeed over.

BLACK HOLE

Let’s remind you that the Mets scored 31 runs in this series. With that in mind, Francisco Alvarez contributed just one of those runs. The catcher struck out a combined three times over just two games, and his struggles have gone on for a prolonged stretch now. He is hitting just .148/.200/.279/.479 with 30 strikeouts over his last 18 games. Those are some ugly stats, and there has to be some real concern over Alvarez going forward.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Power Past Marlins In Sweep appeared first on Metsmerized.

The third baseman conjured some late heroics on Sunday to guide the Mets to a win over the Giants in the series finale. Bichette’s clutch hit also sealed the series win.

The three-game set against San Francisco featured many positives and some negatives for the Mets, who are now 65-78 on the year.

With that, let’s recap everything from the Giants series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Bo Bichette by Berto Carlo

3 UP

BO KNOWS CLUTCH

Bo Bichette delivered a true statement moment on Sunday. The infielder has shown a prowess for coming through with runners in scoring position throughout his career. He flashed that ability once again in the series finale. At the plate with runners on the corners, two outs, and the Mets trailing 2-1, Bichette came up clutch with a three-run shot that turned the game on its head. As a result, Bichette’s heroics gave his team the lead for good. More importantly, the third baseman is looking more and more like a key piece who can contribute at a high level in 2027.

SLUMP BUSTER

A.J. Ewing appears to be waking up from his slumber. The rookie has been mired in one almighty tough patch, hitting .197 with no home runs over 46 games entering Saturday. Well, that cold streak ended with one thunderous swing of the bat in the middle game of the series. Ewing launched a 407-foot home run to show important signs of life. Furthermore, he also drew two walks before recording two hits and a run scored on Sunday. All rookies endure slumps. The fact thatEwing appears to be emerging from his slump is a huge positive for the Mets.

SHOWING HIS WORTH

Brett Baty‘s future with this team appears to be very much up in the air. However, he clearly isn’t going to give up without a fight. The super-utility player enjoyed a productive series, including recording three RBIs on Saturday. To be more exact, he drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh, and came up with a two-run double in the ninth. In other words, Baty did his best to try to get his team back in the game. What happens next remains to be seen, but a strong finish to the season will only help Baty’s cause.

Apr 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets infielder Marcus Semien (10) looks on while batting against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

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MINOR HICCUP 

Let’s not overreact to Zac Thornton‘s rough start. Yes, the rookie was shelled on Saturday. He was rocked, allowing six runs on seven hits, including giving up four home runs. That’s hardly ideal, but again, all players will have off days, especially rookies. And, while the six earned runs reached a season-worst mark, Thornton did still strike out six batters. It is possible that some natural fatigue could be creeping in, too. All in all, while Saturday’s start was one to forget, it shouldn’t be overblown into something it isn’t.

SHINE WEARING OFF

Jefry Yan was a nice story when he was first called up. However, whether he can actually become an effective major league reliever remains to be seen. The latest evidence suggests not. Yan made two outings against the Giants, giving up a combined three earned runs on three hits with two walks and four strikeouts. While the lefty is showing an ability to strike out hitters at a high rate, his command has always been an issue. Now optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, it remains to be seen if Yan will get back to the bigs.

GROWING DILEMMA 

How will the Mets handle Marcus Semien going forward? The veteran has not been good in his first year in Queens. While he’s shown some offensive consistency since the All-Star break, he’s also regressed again as of late. For instance, Semien went a combined 2-for-10 with one walk, one run scored, no extra-base hits, and no RBIs in the Giants series. Furthermore, he is no longer a sure thing defensively. With two more years left on his contract, Semien looks to be a concern that will carry over into spring training with no clear fix.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Late Heroics Seal Giants Series Win For Mets appeared first on Metsmerized.

Having previously lost four of five and seven of their last 11 going into the Rays series, the Mets were looking to stop the skid. They did exactly that by winning two out of three.

Without further ado, let’s recap everything from the three games in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Nick Morabito. Photo Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

3 UP

DREAM NIGHT

Nick Morabito could not have scripted it any better. The rookie was called back up for the Rays series, and he made quite the impact on Wednesday night. Entering the game as a pinch-runner in the sixth inning, Morabito hit a bases-clearing double in the seventh. He added a single in the ninth and also made a superb diving grab in the outfield. While a small sample size, Morabito flashed promise that he could be an impactful everyday player in 2027.

DEBUT DELIGHT

Dylan Ross celebrated both his MLB debut and his 26th birthday on Tuesday night. His performance proved to be the perfect gift. Ross cruised through the dangerous Tampa lineup, needing just 11 pitches to put together a clean inning. Furthermore, Ross topped 99.2 mph on his fastball, while showcasing that he could become a part of this bullpen in the future.

BOUNCING BACK

Talk about rebounding. Robert Stock was shelled for seven earned runs in his last outing. However, on Monday, Stock was stellar on the mound. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up just five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. It was a much-needed performance from the veteran, who earned his first MLB win since 2019. Plus, Stock’s excellent start set the tone for the rest of the series.

Freddy Peralta by Berto Carlo

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ONGOING REGRESSION

Sean Manaea is in a funk right now. The lefty has not been good for a hot minute now, and that continued in Tampa. He gave up five runs on 11 hits over just 5 2/3 innings of work on Tuesday, with three of those runs coming in the sixth inning. Manaea has now allowed 20 earned runs over his last five starts. It is confusing to try and work out what has gone so wrong for Manaea after he seemingly turned things around. Once again, Manaea’s future with the Mets appears to be very much up in the air.

REVENGE GAME

Compounding the Mets’ woes on Tuesday was an old face. Freddy Peralta, who was traded to the Rays earlier in the year, got his own back on his old team. He gave up just one run on three hits over six superb innings, while striking out seven hitters. It was exactly the type of start the Mets wished they had gotten more from Peralta during his time with the team. Overall, the Mets had no answer to their former starter, and it doomed them.

MELTING DOWN

Things were going smoothly for the Mets on Wednesday, with the entire team on cruise control. Owning a 6-0 lead, all was going to plan. However, it wouldn’t be the Mets without some drama. Chris Devenski entered the game and melted down, giving up three earned runs to make it a 6-4 game. Thankfully, the offense took over and put the Rays to the sword. But with that said, Devenski did not cover himself in any kind of glory.

The post 3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Take Down Rays appeared first on Metsmerized.

The Mets lost two out of three to Houston for their third straight series loss. As a result, they have now lost four of five and seven of their last 11.

Still, it is hardly about wins and losses at this point. There were some positives to take from the three games against Houston.

On that note, let’s recap everything from the Astros series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Nolan McLean by Berto Carlo

3 UP

RETURN OF THE KING

Juan Soto was activated from the IL over the weekend, and he made his presence immediately felt. The superstar recorded an RBI single in his first game back on Saturday. He followed that up with a solo home run on Sunday. In all, Soto finished with two runs scored and two RBIs over his first two games back. Even with nothing to play for, Soto’s return to the lineup ensures that games are still worth watching.

DOING THEIR JOBS

Both Nolan McLean and Zac Thornton stepped up to the plate in their respective starts in this series. McLean was stellar on Saturday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball with two hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. That marked McLean’s fourth straight quality start. Meanwhile, Thornton also did his part, providing five solid innings with two runs and five strikeouts on Sunday. With the end of the season nearing, McLean and Thornton keep providing hope for the future.

YOUNG AND FREE

Okay, yes, Jared Young committed an error on Sunday that led to two runs scored. That wasn’t great, although the Mets’ offensive struggles was the biggest reason for the loss. In any case, Young deserves to be in this category for his exploits on Saturday. The infielder recorded his first career three-RBI performance to go along with a three-hit day. Young proved to be the heart of the offense in the Mets’ only win of the series. Furthermore, he continues to show he can be a full-time contributor for this team.

Christian Scott by Berto Carlo

3 DOWN

MELTING DOWN

The bullpen was not great in this series. Nate Lavender allowed three inherited runs to score in the loss on Friday. Daniel Duarte gave up a home run in his outing on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, Jonathan Pintaro and Jefry Yan combined to allow four runs across just two innings. It is probably fair to expect some down days from the bullpen this late in the season.

GETTING TIRED?

Christian Scott may benefit from some extra rest down the stretch. The young starter is nearing the end of his first season post-Tommy John surgery, and it is possible that fatigue may be settling in. Scott held the Astros to just one run through the first five innings of Friday’s game, but walked three straight in the sixth to load the bases. That led to the deciding runs being scored. Scott just lost the zone, and he’s faded late in games before. This could be a situation worth keeping an eye on.

CONTINUED STRUGGLES

A.J. Ewing‘s slump at the plate continues. He went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the series. Now,Ewing did finish strong with a walk, a double, a run scored, and a stolen base in the series finale. Still, he’s hitting just .152/.204/.378/.174/.378 over his last 12 games. Hopefully, Ewing can use his performance on Sunday to get the trainback on the tracks offensively.

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Over the course of the three-game set, the Mets scored just five runs. In all, they were outscored 19-5 by Milwaukee. Furthermore, there was also some bad pitching with the Brewers mainly beating up on their hosts.

Wins and losses don’t matter, of course, but we are starting to see the Mets come back to earth somewhat following a hot streak post-Trade Deadline.

On that note, let’s dive into the Brewers series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

Jared Young by Berto Carlo

3 UP

EARNING HIS PLACE 

No matter what happens now, Jared Young has secured his place on the Mets’ 2027 roster. The only question is just how big a role he will end up playing. Young recorded a hit in two of the three games against the Brewers, including an RBI double in the finale. More importantly, the former KBO player has proved to be a steady presence at first base. If the Mets go out and trade for a first baseman, then Young could offer useful depth. Or, if the Mets decide not to address first base, then Young has proven he’s up to the task. He’s a better fit there than Mark Vientos and Jorge Polanco, and he just keeps on producing.

THAT’S MORE LIKE IT

Francisco Lindor is proving that all the concerns over his struggles were overblown. The shortstop has looked more like himself lately, culminating in a statement game on Tuesday. Lindor had his fingerprints all over the walk-off win. He hit a solo home run and scored on the deciding play. However, more importantly, Lindor made just a stunning leaping grab in the ninth to save the game for the Mets. Lindor has struggled defensively this year, but his stellar play showed that he’s still a very good defender. Get ready for a monster Lindor season in 2027.

TRENDING UPWARDS

Zac Thornton continues to flash why he could be a real solid starter with strong upside in 2027. The rookie was solid in his latest start, shutting the door in the Mets’ only win of the series. Thornton allowed just one run over six innings, giving up seven hits while striking out four hitters with no walks. Thornton worked around plenty of trouble, showing once again that he has the makeup needed to gut out even tough starts. Furthermore, with a 2.88 ERA over his first 10 career starts, the lefty looks like the real deal. 

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

3 DOWN

UNCLEAR FUTURE

Robert Stock was not good last time out. The veteran was shelled on Wednesday, giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts across four innings. It was the second time in four starts that Stock had allowed seven or more earned runs. Furthermore, he has yet to really go deep in games. It is clear at this point that Stock has no real future in this rotation. While he will get at least one more start, maybe it would behoove the Mets to call up one of their young arms instead.

REAL REGRESSION

The Mets might have a Sean Manaea problem again. The lefty looked to have turned a real corner. However, his struggles from earlier in the year have seemingly returned. Manaea gave up six earned runs on eight hits with just three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. His struggles from the outset ultimately doomed the Mets. Consequently, Manaea has now allowed 14 earned runs over his last three starts. That is concerning, and it raises the question of who the real Manaea is. 

NO-SHOW

The offense didn’t really give the Mets a chance in this series. Even in the one win, the bats managed just three runs. In total, the Mets scored just five runs all series. They struggled to cope with Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, which is one thing. But they were also shutdown by Robert Gasser, who came in cold after Dustin May got hurt in the first inning. Furthermore, the big hit constantly eluded the Mets, who went a combined 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position, leaving a whopping 24 runners stranded on base. It seems that against tougher opponents, the lineup is coming back to earth. 

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