Mets bullpen struggles continue in new series

The New York Mets suffered yet another crushing loss on Friday night, falling 11-9 to the Seattle Mariners at Citi Field.

The game saw the Mets’ bullpen unravel again, with leads slipping away in the late innings. This marks the eleventh time in just seven games that New York’s relievers have blown a lead — a stat that’s hard to ignore.

Manager Carlos Mendoza and shortstop Francisco Lindor have both spoken out. They’re worried, but they’re also pushing for urgency as the team hits a crossroads.

A Frustrating Pattern for the Mets’ Bullpen

This franchise knows bullpen heartbreak, but lately, it’s gotten especially rough. The Mets have watched late advantages disappear multiple times this week, erasing strong offensive showings and making their climb in the standings even steeper.

Statistically, it’s a nightmare: the Mets have blown 11 leads in their past seven contests. They haven’t faced something like this since the 2023 season, when they lost leads in eight straight games.

Historical Context of Bullpen Struggles

Every team deals with bullpen issues at some point, but what the Mets are going through now is on another level. Fans remember 2023 for its late-inning disasters. Somehow, 2024 is starting to top even that, both in how often it happens and how painful it feels.

Friday Night’s Rollercoaster at Citi Field

This wasn’t just a loss — it was one that slipped away from the Mets more than once. The swings in momentum told the story of a team fighting for control, but never quite keeping it.

• Cal Raleigh’s two-run homer wiped out an early Mets lead in the third inning.
• In the seventh, back-to-back doubles off reliever Ryan Helsley turned a slim New York advantage into a big 10-6 Seattle lead.

Offense Not the Problem

The 11-9 score might suggest pitching woes, but it also shows the offense kept fighting. The Mets put up nine runs — usually more than enough — but just couldn’t get the outs they needed.

Manager and Player Reactions

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza didn’t mince words. He pointed out the bullpen’s experience, but said they have to finish games when it counts.

“We have guys who have closed games before,” Mendoza said. “But we have to find a way to finish them.” You could hear the frustration, but he’s not looking outside for answers — he wants solutions from the group he’s got.

Francisco Lindor on Mental and Tactical Adjustments

Francisco Lindor echoed Mendoza’s urgency. He doesn’t question the team’s talent, but says they’re not executing as a unit. His comments show a clubhouse still searching for the right tweaks, both mentally and on the field, to fix a problem that keeps coming back.

Why the Bullpen’s Performance is a Season-Defining Issue

Blown leads sting in the standings and hit team morale, too. For a club with playoff hopes, failing to close out games is a problem that can wreck an entire season.

Reasons the bullpen struggles matter:

• They waste strong efforts from the starting rotation and offense.
• They add emotional and mental strain to the clubhouse.
• They can signal deeper issues in coaching, preparation, and role definition.

The Road Ahead

Mendoza and Lindor still believe the season isn’t lost. They both realize there’s no time to waste.

Every game turns up the pressure. New York’s next few series could decide if they hang on to playoff hopes or just chalk up 2024 as another “what if” year.

Right now, it’s simple but tough to swallow. The Mets can score and compete, but they just can’t close when it matters.

Until they figure that out, wins will keep slipping away. The bullpen’s going to stay right under the harshest spotlight.

 
Here is the source article for this story: New series brings more of the same for Mets’ flailing bullpen