Mets lose 8-4 to the Reds on July 20, 2025, getting swept despite homers from Alonso & Soto. As the team struggles, is Francisco Alvarez the answer from AAA?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating Sunday at Citi Field. Despite home runs from Pete Alonso and Juan Soto, the Mets couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling 8-4 to the Reds and suffering a three-game sweep. The loss extends their losing streak to three and drops them further behind the Phillies, casting a pall over a team already battered by a staggering injury list. But as the big league club struggles, a powerful message is being sent from Triple-A.
Francisco Alvarez is making a powerful case for a return, hitting four home runs and driving in 10 runs over his last six games in Syracuse.
The game felt out of reach early. Starter David Peterson battled but was tagged for five runs in just 4.1 innings, putting the Mets in a hole they couldn't climb out of. Cincinnati's Elly De La Cruz was a constant menace, and the Reds' offense never let up, tacking on three more against the bullpen. Pete Alonso's two-run shot, his 22nd of the year, and a solo blast from Juan Soto provided moments of excitement, but they were ultimately just sparks in a sputtering offense. The 8-4 final drops the Mets to 55-45, and what was a tight race in the NL East now sees them 2.5 games back.
You can't discuss the Mets' current woes without looking at the infirmary. The injured list is a who's who of key contributors, now swelling to 13 players. With names like Jesse Winker, Starling Marte, Tylor Megill, and Christian Scott all sidelined, the team is being held together by depth pieces and sheer grit. This isn't an excuse, it's the reality, and it's testing the limits of the organization's depth as they try to stay afloat in the pennant race.
While the mood is somber in Queens, it's electric in Syracuse. Catcher Francisco Alvarez, optioned to Triple-A to find his swing, has done that and more. He's on an absolute tear, launching four homers and collecting 10 RBI in his last six games alone. With eight home runs in just 64 at-bats since his demotion, Alvarez isn't just knocking on the door for a recall; he's trying to break it down. His resurgence couldn't come at a better time, offering a potential offensive jolt the team desperately needs.
The good news from the farm doesn't stop with Alvarez. Baseball Prospectus just released its midseason Top 50 prospects list, and it's loaded with Mets. Four players cracked the list: shortstop Jett Williams (#17), RHP Jonah Tong (#20), outfielder Carson Benge (#32), and RHP Nolan McLean (#34). This wave of talent got even deeper with the official signing of 2025 first-round pick Mitch Voit, a promising two-way player who will begin his journey at Port St. Lucie. The present might be painful, but the pipeline is strong.
The road ahead doesn't get any easier, and this three-game skid is a stark reminder of how quickly things can turn. The Mets need to find a way to stop the bleeding, and fast. While the future, embodied by Alvarez's power surge and a stacked farm system, looks incredibly bright, the present requires immediate attention. All eyes will be on the team to see if they can snap this losing streak and get back on track in the NL East race before the gap grows any wider.
