Mets fail to get it in gear when it comes to clutch hitting
Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets scores a run during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field on Friday, May 30, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It may seem out of place to look at a team that is 12 games over .500 and focus on its biggest flaw. But there is no avoiding it with the Mets. They went into Friday night’s series opener against the Rockies at Citi Field with a glaring .211 batting average with runners in scoring position.
That ranks them 28th of 30 in the MLB and dead last in the National League.
Though they win a lot more than they lose, everyone in the organization is painfully aware of it, especially lately. Over their last 12 games — series against the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and White Sox — the Mets batted .168 (18-for-107) with runners in scoring position.
David Stearns, the Mets president of baseball operations, said Friday that the organization is looking to address the concern.
“I think there is a skill in slowing down the moment and I think there is a skill in handling pressure and putting yourself in the best frame of mind to succeed in those moments when the intensity is a little higher,” he said. “Once you do all of that, I think the result is still somewhat random. . . . With that said, we clearly have not been good in that in that spot over the course of the year, and more recently, over the last 10 days to two weeks.”
What’s especially odd about the team succeeding despite so much failure in these tremendously important situations is that it’s a team-wide issue. Everyone notices Juan Soto hitting .130 in those spots because of his record-setting contract, but Mark Vientos is at .146, Francisco Lindor at .180 and Francisco Alvarez at .211. Those not suffering include Pete Alonso (.321), Luis Torrens (.320) and Tyrone Taylor (.265).
“I do think we have to start from the position of: is there something we can control? Is there something we can look at to get better?” Stearns said. “We're certainly doing that work, that investigation. Our players are extremely aware of this and sometimes you wonder ‘is that actually a good thing or a bad thing to be as aware of this as they all are?’
“So, yes, I think performing in high pressure situations is a skill that can be learned and improved over time and with experience,” he added, “but there are some times that, even if you have that skill and are doing everything right, that the results aren't going to follow.”
Six-man rotation on horizon
The Mets began a run of 10 games in 10 days on Friday and will take the measure of converting to a six-man starting rotation, at least temporarily. Paul Blackburn is likely to pitch in the series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. Monday would put him on his regular amount of rest since his last minor league rehab start.
“It’ll be one of those games,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Stearns said the six-man route could be an option for the Mets from time to time. And with Frankie Montas (right lat strain) on a minor league rehab assignment and due back in mid-June there are multiple options the next time they might want to do it.
Blackburn or Tylor Megill could become a long reliever.
“I think we'll do it when it makes sense within the constructs of our schedule,” Stearns said of the six-man rotation. “ We'll do it when we have these stretches of 15, 16, 18 games in a row that pop up throughout the course of a season.
“We're going to continue to swing back and forth for a little while,between six and five depending on what our schedule looks like and how our guys are feeling?” he added. “Do they need the extra rest? Do they not need the extra rest? It's an ongoing conversation.”
Short hops
The Mets announced that Lewis Sherr as president of business operations, where he will be responsible for overseeing all front office operations except for baseball operations. He joins the Mets after 15 years working for the USTA, most recently as CEO and executive director, where he oversaw a period of major growth for the U.S. Open. “Lew shares my vision for creating an exceptional fan experience at Citi Field and making the Mets an even greater part of New York’s cultural fabric,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said in the announcement. “I am confident that Lew’s extensive experience and track record of success in driving growth and innovation at organizations across sports, entertainment and media will make him a great addition to our leadership team.” . . . Prior to the game, the Mets recalled righthanded reliever Chris Devenski and optioned Brandon Waddell to Triple-A Syracuse. The 34-year-old, who first played in the majors for Houston in 2016, appeared in nine games for Triple-A Syracuse and pitched 9 1/3 innings to a 1.93 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. . . . Righthander Sean Reid-Foley, who spent four seasons in the Mets organization and was released last week, signed a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
