RVH - This Isn’t a Slump. This Is a Collapse.

 

I don’t know how to defend this anymore.

Not after today. Not after another blowout loss, 12–4 to the Cubs. Not after nine straight losses. Not after being outscored 56–16 during this stretch.

At some point, you run out of language like “small sample size” and “early.” At some point, April stops being a feeling-out period and starts becoming a warning sign.

We’re there.

This was supposed to be different. That’s the part that’s hardest to sit with tonight.

All offseason, we talked about a re-tooled Mets team. Younger. More athletic. More dynamic. Built to win different kinds of games. A system. A philosophy. Something sustainable, something modern, something that could actually close the gap between theory and October reality.

And right now? It looks completely broken. Not flawed. Not underperforming.

Broken.

The Numbers Are Bad. The Way They’re Bad Is Worse.

You can live with losing games in April. You can even live with a losing streak.

You cannot live with how this team is losing.

• Blowouts

• Early deficits

• Pitching implosions

• Defensive mistakes

• Empty offense despite traffic

Today was the perfect microcosm.

Kodai Senga gave up seven runs in barely three innings.
The Cubs scored early and often, including another first-inning punch.
The Mets had hits — plenty of them — but almost no impact.

That’s not variance. That’s dysfunction.

Even worse, this isn’t isolated. The Cubs have scored 10+ runs in three straight games — and the Mets are making it look easy.

This isn’t one thing. It’s everything.

The System Isn’t Showing Up

What’s unsettling isn’t just the losing.

It’s the absence of identity.

We spent months talking about:

• Run prevention

• Athleticism

• Defensive reliability

• Pitching depth

• A lineup that could pressure, not just slug

Where is any of that right now?

The defense has been sloppy. Errors, misplays, lack of execution.
The pitching has been inconsistent at best, disastrous at worst.
The offense? It’s producing 3.4 runs per game, near the bottom of the league.

Even the adjustments feel desperate.

Francisco Lindor — the centerpiece — is getting shuffled in the lineup because nothing is working.

That’s not process. That’s searching.

This Is Where It Gets Personal as a Fan

I’ll be honest — this one hits differently.

Because this wasn’t blind optimism.

This wasn’t “hope they figure it out.”

There was a real argument behind this team.

We saw the logic:

• The roster construction made sense

• The philosophy was coherent

• The organization appeared aligned

And now? I don’t know how to explain what we’re watching.

It’s not just that they’re losing.

It’s that they look nothing like the team we thought we were getting.

And when that happens, you start questioning everything:

• Was the roster evaluation wrong?

• Did we overestimate the talent?

• Is the system not translating to the field?

• Or is this just a complete loss of confidence cascading through the roster?

Because right now, it looks like a team playing tight, reacting instead of dictating, waiting for something to go wrong — and then it does.

April Matters When It Looks Like This

You can say it’s early.

But here’s the problem:

This isn’t a 9-game stretch of coin-flip losses.

This is a 9-game stretch where the team has been thoroughly outplayed in every phase.

That travels. That becomes identity if it lingers.

And the standings don’t care when it happens — April losses count the same as September.

At 7–13, you’re not buried. But you’re no longer experimenting either.

You’re chasing.

So What Now?

This is the part where I’d normally pivot to solutions.

Adjustments. Regression candidates. Structural fixes.

I don’t have that tonight.

Because before you fix something, you have to understand what it is.

And right now, I don’t think we do.

This team doesn’t look like it has one problem. It looks like it has five — and they’re feeding each other:

• Pitching instability creates early deficits

• Early deficits force pressing at the plate

• Pressing kills situational hitting

• Defensive lapses extend innings

• And suddenly every game spirals

That’s not a tweak.

That’s a reset.

Final Thought

This isn’t a “panic” post. It’s worse than that. It’s confusion.

Because the gap between what this team was supposed to be and what it actually is right now is wider than any of us expected.

And for the first time all offseason, I don’t feel like I can explain it. I can only watch it.

And right now, it’s ugly.

SAVAGE VIEWS – THE BLAME GAME

Boy, was I off base. I predicted that the Mets would win 96 games this year. Instead, we are on pace to lose 96. 

I felt confident that we had assembled a team with a powerhouse offense and a solid starting pitching staff. We are now on a nine-game losing streak with little hope for improvement. There’s a lot of blame to go around,

CARLOS MENDOZA

Despite the worst record in MLB since last June, there are many who still consider him to be an above average manager. One of his attributes is a calm demeanor. He’s been called a good guy. Leo Durocher had an opinion about good guys. The media loves him. 

However, his track record leaves much to be desired.

·      In Friday’s game, he sat Vientos and installed Melendez as DH. Trouble is, Vientos has had success against Cabrera in the past.

·      In a game that you’re losing by 8 runs, why have Pham pinch hit for Benge in the ninth. Simply defies logic.

·      His game management skills are non-existent.

·      Too often, he has pulled a starting pitcher having a strong game after allowing a baserunner in the sixth or seventh inning. Refuses to let starters to get out of a mini jam.

·      The team appears lethargic. He does not seem to inspire his team to greater heights.

In my opinion, he should be replaced before the next homestand.

DAVID STEARNS

We were excited when the Mets hired Stearns. His track record with the Brewers made us feel we had the right man for this franchise. However, some dubious transactions have soiled his reputation.

·      Not offering Pete Alonso a long-term deal was the right move. Thus far, Pete is not setting the world on fire with the Orioles

·      Brandon Nimmo needed to be moved to create an opening for Carson Benge. Have no doubt in my mind that Benge will wind up having a solid rookie season

·      Diaz rejected the Mets’ offer to sign with LA. Smart move Edwin.

·      Jeff McNeil was showing signs of aging when he was dealt. He needed to be replaced.

·      Two players brought on board have a history of spending significant time on the IR. Polanco is going to be out for awhile, while Roberts needs to rest every fifth day.

·      Semien has continued his downward trend over the past three seasons. Great fielder with no bat.

·      The bullpen was always going to be a weakness. When your eight-man group contains two long relievers and guys like Garcia and Lovelady to start the season, you know you have issues.

·      AJ Ewing could be the sparkplug to turn around the season. Inexplicably, he is tearing up AA not AAA. Makes you wonder.

Stearns has not done Mendoza any favors with the construction of this team.

 

THE PLAYERS

·      Francisco Lindor has been a shadow of himself. Not only is he not hitting, but his fielding has been poor. Certainly not the leader we need.

·      Brett Baty has regressed to the point that perhaps he should be moved to another team. He was supposed to be a guy who could spray the ball around. No longer the case.

·      Francisco Alvarez looks confused. He has not taken the next steps forward.

·      Senga gave another embarrassing performance on Friday. I thought this was going to be a good year from him.

·      Bo Bichette probably wishes he signed with the Phillies. Lots of Mets fans feel that way too. He has not been a major contributor to this point.

OUTLOOK

Not good. Stearns just gave Mendoza a vote of confidence. Seems we are stuck with this team and management for the time being.

Ray

April 18, 2026

Reese Kaplan -- There Are a Lot of Seriously Poor Mets Hitters

Yesterday we examined the head honcho on the field and came to the conclusion that while Carlos Mendoza is not going to make anyone forget the best of the best in a managerial role, neither is he responsible for the poor hitting, inadequate fielding and questionable pitching that have been at the root of this current thus far eight game losing streak. 

Today let’s instead take a look at some of the players at fault and ascertain what, if anything, can be done relatively easily to take corrective actions and hopefully snap this now becoming epic journey of hitters doing their best Claude Rains impression as they have seemed to disappear whenever they were needed most. 

• Jorge Polanco — Depending on whose account of his health you choose to believe, Jorge Polanco’s left Achilles bursitis is apparently not healing with a switch from playing the field to serving as DH.  Some are suggesting that an IL stint is on the near horizon which removes him from daily at-bats, though given his .179 batting average and 2 RBIs over his first 56 ABs of the season it could be a matter of addition by subtraction.  Working through injuries is usually not as effective as pure recovery and an IL stint might make sense.
• Marcus Semien — Many people actively questioned the deal made with the Rangers to send Brandon Nimmo packing and bringing Gold Glover Semien to New York.  The conventional wisdom was the need to improve defense and the payroll relief given the shorter duration of obligation to Semien vs. Nimmo.  Still, Semien between age, slumps and injuries has not had a good offensive showing in a few years and thus far he’s demonstrating that same problem in Queens.  He’s currently hitting just .194 though in his case he’s been a bit more productive when it counted as he’s tallied 7 RBIs. 
• Francisco Lindor — The All Star shortstop’s offensive struggles are well documented.  Some write it off as his usual cold weather slumps to start each year while others suggest he rushed back from his hamate bone injury.  He was without an RBI for the first few weeks of the season and if not for a solo homer he would have none on his stat sheet.  He’s hitting just .184 and also made some questionable plays in the field.
• Bo Bichette — Despite being a poster child for contact hitting, Bichette has not started out looking like any kind of All Star.  He’s currently hitting 90 points below his 2025 campaign though his .228 is an improvement over what he’d shown earlier.  He has 9 RBIs which is helpful but still subpar.  Defense at 3B has been a bit of an adventure. 
• Francisco Alvarez — Though slumping a bit lately, Francisco Alvarez is hitting a respectable .271 with 4 HRs and thus far does not look like one of the key problems that needs to be addressed.
• Luis Robert Jr. — Mired in an express lane downhill with his numbers, the quick start he had in New York between extra rest and a new coaching staff seems far off in the rear view mirror.  Right now he’s hitting just .241 with a pair of HRs.  Given the dearth of alternatives in the outfield he’s there to stay.
• Carson Benge — Of late Benge has finally started having some of his batted balls land for base hits.  He’s still well under the Mendoza line but a .141 is a vast improvement over where he had been.  Some are calling for him to go to Syracuse but a regular outfield including Tommy Pham, Brett Baty, MJ Melendez or Tyrone Taylor is not likely to be any better. 
• Brett Baty — Given the opportunity to play every day, Baty is leading the team in ABs but has not shown much for his frequent appearances at the plate.  He’s currently slumping badly, having dropped his batting average to just .203 with a slugging percentage of just .288.  Ugh.
• Mark Vientos — Not nearly as often giving starting assignments, Vientos started off surprisingly well after a horrific Spring Training.  He’s been in offensive free fall of late and now his average has dipped to just .227 though his slugging is not quite as ugly as Baty’s number with Vientos tallying .341. 

The rest of the myriad of substitute offensive players like Melendez, Taylor, Torrens and others are not offering any better despite the one good game by Melendez.  With Juan Soto still out, there is a need to generate offense and it doesn’t necessarily appear as if there are ready answers in Syracuse. 

Unless trades are going to be made the club needs to rethink it’s approach.  Whatever happened to small ball?  What about hit and run?  What about hitting behind the runners?  What about stolen bases?  Right now it’s on the players and the offensive coaches to take the hit for what’s not happening. 

John From Albany: 40 Years Ago - Mets break 3-game losing streak, beat Phillies 5-2, 4/18/1986

NY Newsday 4/19/1986

1986, the last year the Mets won the World Series.  This daily post will detail the game by game journey to that Fall Title.  Click here for More Mets History and Calendar Classics. 

 

Year: 1986; Game #6; Friday;  Apr 18, NYM 5  Vs. PHI; 2; boxscore;  WP: Darling; LP: Carlton; Save: Orosco; Time: 02:35; NIGHT; Attendance: 26,906;  Record: 3-3; Standings: 3; Games up/behind: 2.5; W;

Lenny Dykstra CF; 1 for 5; 2B; 1 run; 2 Ks; Tim Teufel 2B; 0 for 4; 4 Ks; Keith Hernandez 1B; 1 for 3; 2 runs; 1 walk; Gary Carter C; 1 for 3; 2 runs; 1 walk; Darryl Strawberry RF; 1 for 1; HR; 1 RBI; 3 walks; George Foster LF; 1 for 3; 2 RBIs; 1 walk; 1 K; Ray Knight 3B; 1 for 4; SB,2·HBP; 2 RBIs; 1 K; Jesse Orosco P; 0 for 0; Rafael Santana SS; 0 for 2; 2 walks; 1 K; Ron Darling P; 0 for 3; 2 Ks; Howard Johnson 3B; 0 for 1; 1 K; Ron Darling, W (1-0); 7 innings; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 4 hits; 2 HRs; 1 walk; 4 Ks; Jesse Orosco, S (2); 2 innings; no runs; 1 hit; 4 Ks; 

Mets break a 3-game losing streak.  It didn't start out great as Milt Thompson and Mike Schmidt each hit homers to start the game against Ron Darling but the Mets came right back.  After Steve Carlton loaded the bases in the 1st on a Lenny Dykstra single and walks to Keith Hernandez and Gary Carter, he walked Darryl Strawberry for the first Mets run, then Ray Knight blooped a single to put the Mets up 3-2.  George Foster added two more with a bases loaded single in the 8th to put the Mets up 5-2.  Ron Darling (W,1-0) went 7 innings allowing just the 2 1st innings runs on 4 hits, 1 walk.  Jesse Orosco two scoreless innings for his second Save of the year.  

The win pulled the Mets ahead of the Phillies and Expos and kept pace with the Cards who won 4-2.

NL East Division Table

Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	RS	RA	pythW-L%
STL	6	1	.857	--	33	14	.828
PIT	4	2	.667	1.5	24	11	.807
NYM	3	3	.500	2.5	30	30	.500
PHI	3	4	.429	3.0	32	37	.434
MON	3	5	.375	3.5	25	40	.297
CHC	2	6	.250	4.5	19	35	.246

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/18/1986.