Ups and downs happen to every team throughout a Major League Baseball season, but whatever is happening to the New York Mets right now feels different.
Losers of 10 of their last 11 games, the Mets have seemingly dropped the ball on any chance at a division title. At 63-54 entering Sunday, they’re barely clinging to the last wild card spot in the National League.
Saturday’s game was a low point, as the Mets lost 7-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers after a four-run seventh inning that was aided by some slipshod defense. And earlier in the game, Milwaukee scored two runs on an error by shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Lindor’s struggles since the All-Star break have contributed heavily to the Mets’ recent slide. So it was particularly alarming to see his defense cost the team a game, since he hasn’t been pulling his weight offensively, either.
After the game, a downtrodden Lindor took more than his fair share of the blame for how far this Mets team has fallen.
“I have to be better,” Lindor said, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. “I have to pick up my teammates. I have to be there for my teammates. And I have to finish plays — whether it’s offense, defense or base running. Bottom line: I have to be better.”
Lindor is now batting .176 with a .525 OPS in 20 games since the All-Star break. His season OPS is down to .740 — not exactly a number befitting of a five-time All-Star.
If the Mets are going to turn things around, their de facto captain is going to have to lead the charge on both sides of the ball. It’s not as though he’s unaware of that fact, but the crucial next step is turning words into actions.
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