Juan Soto hits first home run, but NY Mets’ early-season woes mount in loss

The long ball from Juan Soto couldn’t mask the reality of a lineup currently stuck in neutral. Despite the star-studded reinforcements, the New York Mets’ offense has been an exercise in frustration through the season’s first six games.

The numbers are jarring. New York is currently hitting a dismal .162 with runners in scoring position (RISP), ranking 29th in the Majors, ahead of only the Reds. Even more concerning is the lack of punch; with runners on base, the Mets are slugging just .278, also 29th in MLB.

While an 11-run outburst on Opening Day against the Pirates provided a brief glimmer of hope, the power has since vanished. The early optimism is beginning to give way to anxiety, and Carlos Mendoza stuttered while calling out Mets stars Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor.

The root of the offensive malaise

While it is far too early to hit the panic button, Mendoza and his staff are undoubtedly scrutinizing a few troubling trends:

• The Mets are currently converting on just one out of every six opportunities with a runner on second or third.
• The “extra-base” threat has disappeared. With runners on, the Mets have largely failed to find the gaps or clear the fences, leaving the rotation with razor-thin margins for error.

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Kodai Senga excited after 2026 NY Mets debut despite offense struggles

At 3-3, the record isn’t a disaster, but for a franchise that spent the offseason stockpiling elite talent, a .500 start fueled by a stagnant offense isn’t what the fanbase signed up for.

Star watch: The early-season slump

A collective offensive identity crisis is usually driven by individual struggles. Four key names are currently under the microscope as they look to shake off a cold first week:

• Francisco Lindor (SS): The captain is in a notable funk, batting just .143 with a .712 OPS.
• Jeff McNeil (2B/OF): The former batting champ hasn’t found his “squirrelly” rhythm, posting a dismal .077 average (1-for-13) in his first five appearances.
• Marcus Semien (2B): The veteran addition was brought in for his reliability, but a 2-for-20 (.100) start has him searching for answers at the plate.
• Brett Baty (1B/DH): While his .217 average is higher than his peers, a .522 OPS and a -0.2 WAR tell a different story. With 6 strikeouts in 23 at-bats and zero home run power to show for it, the pressure is mounting for the young infielder.