UPDATE: The New York Mets have officially missed the playoffs after a devastating 4-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on October 1, 2023, at LoanDepot Park. This loss ends their postseason aspirations, marking a shocking collapse for a team once considered a top contender.
The Mets entered the final game of the regular season knowing a win would secure their spot in October. Instead, they faltered, finishing the season with a disappointing 83-79 record, tied with the Cincinnati Reds but missing the playoffs due to a head-to-head tiebreaker.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s hard to describe what we’re going through. It’s pain. It’s frustration. We came in with a lot of expectations, and here we are going home.”
Shortstop Francisco Lindor echoed these sentiments, taking responsibility for the loss: “It was on us, on me, on the players to get it done. We didn’t execute.” With the Reds clinching the last wild card spot, they will face the Dodgers in Los Angeles starting Tuesday.
This collapse is even more painful considering the Mets had the best record in baseball at one point during the season. They were coming off a surprising run to the NLCS last year and made significant investments, including signing Juan Soto to the largest contract in North American sports history.
However, after an impressive start, the Mets went 38-55 for the rest of the season, plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance. “It’s beyond frustration,” said Pete Alonso, who confirmed he would opt out of his contract in search of free agency. “Super talented team, and the reality is we fell short.”
Pitching injuries were a recurring issue, starting with Kodai Senga’s hamstring strain in June. The Mets’ rotation struggled to maintain effectiveness, leading to a dismal end to their campaign. Their final game saw a combination of rookie pitchers and a shaky bullpen, which ultimately could not hold off the Marlins.
In a critical moment during the game, Alonso hit a line drive with bases loaded, but it was caught, denying the Mets a chance to rally. “I thought for sure it was a double,” he lamented. This missed opportunity exemplified the Mets’ season-long struggles.
The Marlins scored all their runs in the fourth inning, taking advantage of the Mets’ faltering pitching. With their hopes dashed, the Mets head into the offseason with a bitter taste, reminiscent of past collapses in 2007 and 2008.
Juan Soto summarized the sentiment: “It’s a failure. Anytime you don’t make it to the playoffs or win a championship, it’s a failure.” The Mets will now look to regroup and reassess their strategy for the upcoming season.