The Mets were shut out 5-0 by the Braves on June 19, 2025, as Chris Sale dominated. With Lindor & Soto cold, can NY stop their 5-game losing streak?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another loss. The New York Mets' mid-June swoon deepened in Atlanta on Thursday, as they were completely shut down by Chris Sale and the Braves in a dispiriting 5-0 defeat. It marks the fifth consecutive loss for a team that suddenly can't buy a run, raising serious questions as they cling to their perch atop the NL East.
Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto, the heart of the lineup, combined for just two hits against the Braves.
The game felt over almost before it began. Braves ace Chris Sale was simply untouchable, carving up the Mets lineup for 8 2/3 masterful, scoreless innings. He scattered five hits and struck out seven, looking every bit the dominant force of old. On the other side, Mets starter Clay Holmes (7-3) had a nightmare first inning, surrendering a 419-foot leadoff blast to Ronald Acuña Jr. and allowing three runs before the Mets could even settle in. A later homer by Matt Olson sealed the deal, but the truth is, the Mets' bats never gave them a chance. The offense was non-existent, leaving fans wondering where the high-powered attack from May has gone.
This losing streak is exposing some troubling trends, particularly in the starting rotation. Once a pillar of strength, the staff has begun to falter. Since May 15, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning have a combined 5.63 ERA, putting immense pressure on the bullpen and the offense. Worse, the reinforcements aren't inspiring confidence. Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are struggling on their rehab assignments, with whispers that Montas could be destined for the bullpen if he can't turn it around soon. While David Peterson and Clay Holmes have been bright spots, the rotation's depth is being seriously tested. The team desperately needs a spark, and perhaps the impending return of Mark Vientos from his hamstring injury can provide one for the infield and the lineup.
It's easy to panic during a five-game skid, but let's take a step back. Despite the ugly week, the Mets are still in first place. According to the 'Summer Score' metric, which tracks a team's daily playoff status, the Mets have a perfect score of 24. They have held a playoff position every single day since May 27, a feat matched only by the league's elite like the Dodgers and Phillies. This isn't a team that fell into first place by accident; they've been one of the NL's most consistent squads for a month. This streak is a test, but their body of work proves they have the foundation to bounce back.
This five-game slide is the team's first real test of adversity this season. They've built a cushion, but it's shrinking. How they respond in the coming days will tell us everything we need to know about the character of this first-place club. The talent is there; now it's time to see the fight. Let's hope they find it before this slump becomes a full-blown crisis.
