Carlos Mendoza stutters while calling out NY Mets stars Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor

The New York Mets dropped their first road series of the 2026 MLB season in disheartening fashion. Carlos Mendoza’s side struggled to close out the three-game matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals, and many put the blame in the lackluster performances from Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor, among others.

Mendoza, however, didn’t go as far as to throw his players under the bus after the 2-1 loss in the series closer against the Cardinals. However, New York’s manager addressed the struggles at the plate. The fact Mendoza stumbled over his words only made everything look worse for him, Bichette, Lindor, and the rest of the Mets.

“We’ve got to get back to what we do well. [We’ve got] good hitters that, right now for a couple of games, they’re not getting it done,” Mendoza said—being mindful of the words he used—after the game, via @SNY_Mets on X.

Mendoza didn’t give out names, but he really didn’t have to. Fans in Queens know exactly whom his message was intended for. Bichette and Lindor are in the eye of the storm after yet another concerning outing. Frankly, virtually every player on the roster is under the microscope, though. But with Bichette and Lindor, the criticism is the loudest.

Bichette is off to rough start

Since his arrival, Bichette has struggled tremendously on the Mets. So far in the season, Bichette has had the most at-bats on the team (27), but registers concerning numbers: .111 AVG, .138 OBP, and .249 OPS. Bichette heard the jeering from fans, and he eyes a redemption tour with the Mets, but as it stands, that tour has yet to announce its dates and venues.

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Bichette’s 8 strikeouts are the most in New York, tied with Marcus Semien, another player who’s feeling the wrath of the fanbase in Queens. As the two offseason acquisitions struggle, David Stearns and the front office are getting an earful from fans, as well.

Lindor’s mistakes

Lindor has been a tad better than Bichette at the plate, but it’s every other area of the game where he has had a rough start to the 2026 MLB campaign. Against the Cardinals on Wednesday, Lindor made two mental mistakes that fans won’t soon forget. First, Lindor was picked off at first base with Juan Soto at the plate.

To make matters worse, Soto hit a solo home run two pitches later. That was New York’s lone run of the afternoon after being blanked in the previous game. Lindor’s struggles didn’t start there, either. In the first inning, he lost track of the outs and let a chance at a double play slip through his fingers, as he jogged into second base instead of making the play and throwing to first immediately.

Mets are in trouble early

Lindor is off his game. New York’s focus is off, too. Mendoza shied away from calling his players out after only six games this season, but it may have been called for. The Orange and Blue must now tread lightly—if they’re not careful, their season may be over before they know it.