3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Drop Tough Series To Diamondbacks

Frustrating is the word best used to describe the New York Mets’ series loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks this week.

The Mets dropped their first series at home of 2025, snapping a 10-series winning streak at Citi Field. That mark was the longest in franchise history.

It was also the first time since July 27, 2024 that the Mets lost back-to-back home games. The cause? A lack of clutch hitting in big spots and some disappointing pitching performances.

There were also some notable positives to emerge from the three-game set in Queens, however. So, on that note, let’s dive into the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

BREAKING OUT

Juan Soto entered Thursday having struggled in the first two games of the series. He went a combined 0-for-7 with two walks in those games. That led to more discussion about the superstar hitter’s underwhelming start to life in Queens. However, that talk can be paused for now after a sensational day on Thursday. In a moment all Mets fans have been waiting for, Soto absolutely went off in the series finale. He blasted two home runs and finished with two runs scored, two RBIs and a walk. It marked the first time Soto had gone long at Citi Field as a member of the Mets. It was also the outfielder’s first multi-home run game with the club.

By blasting two homers – and ending a home run drought that stretched back to April 15 – Soto sent a clear message that all the early-season panic was for nothing. Soto was always going to hit to the back of his baseball card sooner rather than later. Thursday could be the spark that leads to yet another monster season from him. And Soto’s breakout game was a rare high point in what was a tough home series overall. With his OPS now at .822, don’t be surprised if Soto goes on an absolute tear from here on out.

SIGNS OF LIFE

Speaking of players breaking out, Tyrone Taylor was a plus offensively against the Diamondbacks. The outfielder has struggled at the plate so far this year, but he certainly provided an offensive spark in the first two games of this series. He went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in the series opener. He then hit a home run in the bottom of the ninth in the second game, starting a rally that should have led to a Mets win. And it wasn’t just at the plate where Taylor had a significant impact: the veteran also made a stunning diving catch in the series opener, highlighting his defensive prowess. Yes, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the finale. But, overall, this was a really good series for Taylor.

WORTH THE WAIT

With Wednesday’s game being a bullpen game for the Mets, Brandon Waddell got the chance to do something he’s been waiting a long time to do: for the first time since 2021, Waddell got to step on a major league mound. And he didn’t disappoint. The lefty was great, not allowing a run on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. It was a cool story, but it could lead to something more. With the bullpen now short on lefties, Waddell could potentially become an in-house option. While it was just a very small sample size, he certainly showed on Wednesday that he can be effective over multiple innings. Maybe Waddell won’t have to wait so long for his next taste of major league action.

3 DOWN

GROWING CONCERN

This has not been a good stretch for Ryne Stanek. The reliever has allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk over his last three appearances. Furthermore, he’s given up the lead in each of those outings. The latest implosion came on Wednesday when Stanek allowed two earned runs on three hits. That gave the Diamondbacks a lead they never relinquished. Stanek is struggling to put batters away, but he’s also run into some bad luck. As a result, his ERA now stands at 5.06 after being a stellar 0.96 before this three-game stretch. Now, granted, this is a small sample size and it’s probably just a minor skid. But, with the bullpen now hit by a couple of key injuries, the pressure will be on Stanek to break out of this slump sooner rather than later.

DUGOUT MISSTEPS 

Carlos Mendoza has been a revelation in the dugout for the Mets. But, like all managers, mistakes will be made from time to time. That was certainly the case this week for Mendoza, who didn’t exactly have a great series from a managerial perspective. In the last two games of the series, the Mets trailed the Diamondbacks by a run late. In both games, Mendoza opted not to use Edwin Díaz, who was fully warmed up on both occasions. Yes, Díaz has had his heart attack moments this year. But, with that said, he still has the pedigree of a shutdown closer. He’s got the stuff, the credentials and the mentality you need from a closer in a close game in the ninth. Well, instead, Mendoza went with Chris Devenski on Wednesday, and then Reed Garrett on Thursday. And, in both situations, those decisions cost the Mets the game.

Devenski gave up a pair of earned runs on two hits with a leadoff walk. Then, in the series finale, Garrett came back out for the ninth and allowed a home run that acted as an insurance run for Arizona. Both games were right there for the taking, making the decision to not give the ball to Díaz in at least one of those games even more bemusing. Yes, Díaz has thrown just once since suffering a left hip cramp on April 23. But, given that he was warmed up and ready to go in both games, he should have been given the opportunity to at least give the Mets a chance to win.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES 

Arguably the biggest contributing factor to the Mets dropping this series was a lack of clutch hits in big moments. Asides from the 8-3 win in the series opener, the lineup failed to cash in on multiple golden opportunities. The Mets went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position on Wednesday, leaving a whopping 13 runners stranded on base. That included Francisco Alvarez grounding out to end the game with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Then, in the series finale, Mark Vientos and Brandon Nimmo struck out in the eighth inning with one and two outs, respectively, and runners on second and third. The chances were there, but the Mets just couldn’t come up with the big hit in order to take advantage of them. In total, the lineup went 0-for-12 with RISP across the final two games of the series, leaving a staggering 20 runners stranded on base. That inability to cash in with runners on is now starting to cost this team games.

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