The New York Mets were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates in June 2025, capped by a 12-1 loss. With Lindor and Soto struggling, what's behind the offense's collapse?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's no way to sugarcoat it: this weekend was a disaster. The New York Mets stumbled into their Monday off day not with a whimper, but with a resounding thud, getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates in humiliating fashion. Capped by a 12-1 shellacking on Sunday, the Mets were outscored 30-4 over three games, leaving fans wondering where the high-powered offense from earlier this season has gone.
'We're relying so much on our top guys... It's hard to score like that.' - Manager Carlos Mendoza
Sunday's finale was a microcosm of the entire series. Starter Frankie Montas was chased after just four innings, getting rocked for six earned runs, five of which came in a nightmarish first inning. The bullpen offered no relief, with Richard Lovelady and Dedniel Núñez surrendering more runs before outfielder Travis Jankowski was called upon to pitch the eighth inning—a sure sign of a white flag. The offense was just as listless. A solo homer from Luis Torrens was the only mark on the scoreboard, while the heart of the order—Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso—managed just two hits combined. The brutal series drops the Mets to 48-37, a record that feels much worse after the weekend's performance.
This isn't just a bad weekend; it's the continuation of a troubling trend. Since June 13, the Mets' lineup has been in a major funk, and the stats tell the story. The team's chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone has ballooned to 30%, a clear sign of pressing at the plate. As manager Carlos Mendoza pointed out, the lineup has become dangerously top-heavy. 'We're relying so much on our top guys,' he said. 'It's hard to score like that.' Juan Soto has been a one-man wrecking crew, driving in over a quarter of the team's runs during this slump, but he can't do it alone. The lack of production from the bottom half of the order has been crippling.
Amid the gloom, there are glimmers of hope. Infielder Mark Vientos was activated from the injured list just in time for the upcoming homestand. His bat, which was heating up before his hamstring strain, could provide a much-needed jolt to the lineup's struggling bottom half. Furthermore, the individual brilliance of the team's stars hasn't gone unnoticed. Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Juan Soto were all named finalists to start the MLB All-Star Game. It's a testament to their talent and a reminder that the core of this team is elite, even if the results aren't showing it right now.
While the big league club struggles, the foundation remains strong. The Mets' farm system is still considered one of the best in baseball, brimming with talent like top-100 prospects Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, and Carson Benge. We've already seen contributions from recent call-up Luisangel Acuña, and the pipeline is deep enough that more help could be on the way later this season. The organization's investment in player development provides a safety net and ensures that even in tough times, the long-term outlook is promising.
The Mets desperately need the reset that today's off day provides. The stench of the Pittsburgh series needs to be washed away before they return home to Citi Field to face the Brewers. With Mark Vientos back in the fold and a chance to play in front of a friendly crowd, this team has an opportunity to stop the bleeding and prove this slump is an aberration, not the new normal. All eyes will be on the offense to see if they can finally wake up.
