beyond the back page The will-they-or-won’t-they Mets need to find out who they are before this season is lost for good By Jake Nisse Published June 17, 2026, 7:45 a.m. ET Juan Soto reacts during the Mets' 12-0 loss to the Reds on June 15, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect It’s been one step forward, two steps back for the Mets of late.
There have been signs of progress recently, such as the 5-4 come-from-behind win against the Cardinals last week and the series win over the rival Braves over the weekend.
But Monday’s 12-0 loss in Cincinnati, followed by Tuesday night’s 5-3 setback marked by Kodai Senga’s first-inning four-spot, brought the team back to Earth and was enough to remind fans just how far off this team remains.
The Mets (32-41) are 22-20 since the start of May — an uninspiring but reasonable mark, especially considering the team’s slew of injuries. But that pace won’t really cut it after the team’s disastrous 12-game losing streak condemned it to a 7-16 record early on.
