The Mets' bullpen imploded in a 6-run 7th inning vs. the Phillies on June 21, 2025. Bryson Stott's double sealed the loss, extending the team's skid.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It’s a story Mets fans are getting tired of reading. For six innings, it was a ballgame. Then came the seventh. A six-run meltdown, fueled by a gassed bullpen, turned a competitive Saturday showdown in Philadelphia into another frustrating loss, extending the team's road losing streak to five games. The high-powered offense couldn't bail them out this time, and the glaring need for relief pitching has never been more obvious.
One disastrous inning, six runs for the Phillies, and a five-game road losing streak. The Mets' biggest weakness was on full display.
Griffin Canning battled for five innings, keeping the Mets in the fight against a tough Phillies lineup. But the bullpen, running on fumes after a brutal stretch, couldn't hold the line. The seventh inning was a nightmare parade of hits and walks, capped by a soul-crushing three-run double from Bryson Stott. Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek, two arms the Mets have relied on, simply didn't have it. While the offense, ranked 5th in MLB, tried to answer, they couldn't overcome the six-run hole dug by the bullpen against a relentless Phillies attack led by Brandon Marsh, who seemed to be on base all night.
The bullpen's struggles aren't just a one-night problem; they're a season-defining issue that the front office is actively trying to solve. Reports indicate the Mets are scouring the market for relief help ahead of the trade deadline. They are firmly in the 'buyers' camp and possess the farm system depth to make a move. While top arms like Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean are likely untouchable, prospects like Blade Tidwell, Zach Thornton, and Douglas Orellana could be packaged to acquire a difference-maker. Names like Cedric Mullins, Jarren Duran, and even a reclamation project like Sandy Alcántara are being whispered as potential targets.
Amidst the team's struggles, there are reasons to cheer. Francisco Lindor's exceptional season is being recognized by fans across the league, as he currently leads all National League shortstops in All-Star voting. He's on track to secure his first-ever All-Star start as a Met, a well-deserved honor. And looking further ahead, the future continues to look bright. Top prospect Drew Williams is tearing the cover off the ball in Double-A, extending a hot streak that has him rocketing up prospect boards. His success, along with others in the system, gives the front office valuable chips to play at the deadline without mortgaging the entire future.
Saturday was a tough pill to swallow, a painful reminder of this team's most significant flaw. The loss stings, but the narrative is shifting. The focus now turns from the field to the front office. With the bullpen's struggles laid bare and the trade deadline approaching, the next few weeks will define the Mets' 2025 season. A move for a reliable arm isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity.
