The first-place Mets face the Braves on June 17, 2025, to start a crucial division stretch. Can David Peterson and a hot Pete Alonso overcome rotation woes?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The New York Mets sit comfortably atop the NL East with a stellar 45-27 record, but the easy part of the season is officially over. Tonight in Atlanta marks the beginning of a 10-day trial by fire, a grueling stretch against division rivals that will test their mettle, challenge their depth, and could very well define their path to October. With the starting rotation showing its first real signs of vulnerability, the pressure is on to prove their first-place standing is no fluke.
The next 10 days, we’ve got to play well.
The test begins tonight at Truist Park against a struggling but dangerous Braves team. The Mets are sending one of their most reliable arms, David Peterson (5-2, 2.48 ERA), to the mound to set the tone. He'll face veteran Chris Sale (4-4, 2.79 ERA) in a compelling lefty-lefty matchup. On paper, the first-place Mets should handle the third-place Braves, but division games are a different beast. With Pete Alonso swinging a hot bat (.293 AVG, 17 HR, 63 RBI), the offense will look to give Peterson an early cushion and silence the Atlanta crowd.
While Peterson has been a rock, the same can't be said for the rest of the rotation lately. Since mid-May, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning have combined for a worrisome 5.63 ERA, a stark regression from their hot starts. Compounding the issue are the shaky rehab assignments for injured starters Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea. The team is now facing the possibility of Montas moving to the bullpen if his final minor league tune-up doesn't go well. This makes every start from dependable arms like Peterson and every lockdown appearance from Clay Holmes absolutely critical as the team navigates this brutal stretch.
Fortunately, reinforcements are on the horizon. Infielder Mark Vientos is expected back from his hamstring injury by the end of the month, which will create a welcome but difficult decision for Carlos Mendoza in the infield. Beyond the immediate roster, the farm system remains a point of strength. Despite win-now moves, the pipeline is flush with top-100 talent like Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams, who have already reached Triple-A. If the rotation woes persist, don't be surprised to see hard-throwing prospects like Nolan McLean or Jonah Tong get a look in the big leagues later this year, proving the Mets are built to win now and later.
This 10-game stretch is more than just a collection of games; it's a litmus test. How the Mets perform against the Braves and Phillies will not only shape the NL East standings but will also inform the front office's strategy heading into the trade deadline. The questions surrounding the rotation are real, but with an elite offense, a deep farm system, and a manager who understands the stakes, the Mets have every opportunity to emerge from this gauntlet stronger and more solidified as a true contender.
