The New York Mets are struggling offensively as they prepare to welcome the Los Angeles Dodgers to Citi Field for a crucial nine-game homestand. After a disappointing 2-4 road trip and suffering a shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets have dropped five of their last seven games, scoring two runs or fewer in each loss. This slump comes as key players including Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo have struggled to find their rhythm at the plate.
Despite these difficulties, there are bright spots in the lineup. Brett Baty has emerged as a standout player, recently going 2-for-4 with three RBIs in a victory over the Boston Red Sox. He is hitting .937 OPS over his last 12 games and has shown impressive defensive skills, which Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has praised. Mendoza noted that Baty’s approach and preparation are exemplary, especially for a young player.
The Mets are keen to see improvements from other young talents as well. Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, and Luisangel Acuña have had underwhelming performances recently, which the team hopes will change as they take the field at home. Acuña leads the squad with 10 stolen bases but has gone quiet on the bases since May 9.
On the positive side, the Mets have played very well at home, boasting an MLB-best 17-5 record at Citi Field and ranking fifth in attendance with an average of 36,795 fans per game. This weekend, they can expect strong support from their fans as they take on the defending champions.
Looking further ahead, the Mets have a favorable schedule following the Dodgers series, with matchups against the struggling Chicago White Sox and the Colorado Rockies, who occupy the bottom of the standings. This could provide a valuable opportunity for the Mets to turn their season around and regain momentum.