by Matthew Robley
There has been nothing but disappointment in Queens as the Mets struggle to find their way during their rough start to the 2026 MLB season. As dominant as their lineup seems, with stars such as Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Francisco Alvarez, the expected results are not translating onto the field. The frustrations only continued to mount during a devastating 12-game losing streak, the organization’s longest skid in nearly 25 years, further emphasizing how quickly the season has spiraled out of control. This catastrophic streak came to an end on April 22nd with a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Twins.
Mets’ star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been the face of the Mets’ struggles. Lindor’s failures were compounded by injuries: a pre-season hamate bone fracture and now a calf strain. He’s also had significant uncharacteristic defensive lapses to begin the season. Lindor is expected to miss significant time which has been affecting the team’s ability to turn things around in Queens. To compound the Mets’ problems, many off-season additions such as Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr., and Marcus Semien have not been playing up to the standard the Mets were hoping for. All of these issues have raised immediate questions regarding manager Carlos Mendoza’s job security.
Despite the disappointment, the Mets do have young players providing some hope to this seemingly hopeless season. RHP Nolan Mclean, coming off his rookie year in 2025, has been exceeding expectations on the mound, and has been one of the Mets’ bright spots in the rotation along with Clay Holmes. Younger players, such as rookie outfielder Carson Benge, may prove to be key in shifting momentum if given the opportunity to step into larger roles.
Ultimately, the Mets’ season is far from over, but the margin for error is already shrinking. If they hope to reverse course, they will need improved health, more consistent production from their veteran core, and stronger execution in critical moments. Without those changes, what began as a season filled with promise could quickly become defined by missed opportunities and underachievement in Queens.