The New York Mets suffered a 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, extending their losing streak and dropping them to a season-worst six games below .500. The game highlighted the Mets’ ongoing struggles in multiple areas, including defense, pitching, and roster decisions.
One key moment in the game occurred when Mets outfielder Starling Marte made a crucial mistake in right field. Marte misjudged a line drive hit by Jose Ramirez, resulting in a run for the Guardians. He compounded the error by bobbling the ball during the exchange from his glove, allowing Ramirez to advance to third base. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that Marte let his frustrations get to him after the misplay.
Despite Marte’s later home run and a strong offensive performance from the team, including contributions from struggling players Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil, the loss highlighted the Mets’ inability to consistently execute the little things that lead to success. Former Mets pitcher Max Scherzer emphasized this point last season when he said that flipping the little things around can have a significant impact on the team’s overall performance.
The game also raised questions about the Mets’ pitching rotation. Starting pitcher Adrian Houser’s ERA increased to 7.88 after giving up six earned runs in five-plus innings. It remains uncertain what Houser’s role with the Mets will be going forward. The team has other options, including pitcher José Buttó, who had a strong outing in Triple-A Syracuse, and David Peterson, who is nearing the end of his rehab and could be activated soon.
The Mets’ bullpen also faced challenges during the game. Lefty reliever Jake Diekman showed frustration by tossing a cooler near the dugout steps after allowing a two-run home run. Diekman’s struggles are significant, considering the absence of lefty Brooks Raley, who will undergo surgery and is likely out for the season. The team will need to rely on Diekman in high-leverage situations, despite his recent struggles.
Another notable development was the demotion of closer Edwin Díaz. After three poor outings, Díaz is no longer the team’s closer and will be eased back into lower-leverage situations. However, the decision to warm him up and then sit him once the game mattered more raises questions about its impact on Díaz’s confidence.
The roster decisions surrounding third base also came into focus during the game. Mark Vientos, a right-handed batter, received a rare start against a right-handed pitcher and performed well with a home run and a double. In contrast, Brett Baty has struggled offensively in recent weeks. The Mets may soon be forced to make a decision regarding their platoon at third base involving these two young players.
Overall, the Mets’ loss to the Guardians highlighted ongoing challenges in multiple areas of the team. To achieve sustained success, the Mets must focus on executing the little things consistently and making strategic roster decisions.