{"id":262483,"date":"2025-09-29T00:09:42","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T00:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/262483\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T00:09:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T00:09:42","slug":"new-york-mets-didnt-collapse-they-just-werent-very-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/262483\/","title":{"rendered":"New York Mets didn’t collapse. They just weren’t very good."},"content":{"rendered":"

In the end, it was not a collapse for the New York Mets<\/a>, even if it will be labeled as such. They simply were not very good.<\/p>\n

Collapse? That\u2019s a sudden act, a building collapsing in an earthquake. The Mets have not collapsed so much as they got lost in quicksand, with a 38-55 record since June 14.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Still, the utter mediocrity of the National League\u2019s wild card contenders and the everybody-in nature of the modern playoff format extended the misery, tempting the Mets, taking it down to a Game 162 where they needed a win over the Miami Marlins<\/a> and a Cincinnati Reds<\/a> loss to get in.<\/p>\n

Appropriate, then, that the Reds would lose and leave the door open a crack, even if only for one last Mets indignity.<\/p>\n

It came in a 4-0 loss to the Marlins that was equal parts storm clouds from the Baseball Gods, managerial malfeasance and personnel shortcomings that doomed the Mets from the jump.<\/p>\n

MLB PLAYOFFS<\/strong>: Full postseason bracket for march to World Series<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Pete<\/p>\n

Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor during the Mets’ season-ending loss.<\/p>\n

Even with a $765 million superstar<\/a> in newly acquired Juan Soto, who nearly turned in a 40-40 season that ultimately was MVP caliber. Even with $341 million shortstop Francisco Lindor, again the heartbeat of the club. And with old friend Pete Alonso, who they let fester all winter only to welcome him back in February on a make-good deal \u2013 and get rewarded with 38 home runs and 126 RBIs.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no words to describe what we are going through,\u201d manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters in South Florida after the defeat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe came in with a lot of expectations and we are going home.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was mildly appropriate that Game 162 was started by Sean Manaea, symbolic of their injury-plagued and poorly-performing pitching staff.<\/p>\n

One year ago, Manaea was a hero, the Mets winning two of his three playoff starts as they made a wild run to the National League Championship Series. Rewarded with a $75 million contract to come back, he never got off the ground.<\/p>\n

Manaea was hurt before the start of spring training, limited to 12 starts, and brought a 5.80 ERA into the finale.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

And he gave what he could \u2013 recording five outs and keeping the Mets level with the Marlins before departing. But predictably, a seven-man bullpen relay blew a tire \u2013 Mendoza for some reason had Ryne Stanek\u2019s 5.30 ERA on the mound in a 0-0 do-or-die game \u2013 and, stunningly, that was that.<\/p>\n

The Baseball Gods? They chipped in when Alonso\u2019s hardest-hit ball this season \u2013 a 116-mph screamer with the bases loaded in the fifth inning that was hit right at Marlins left fielder Javier Sanoja. The ball looked destined for the gap, a 4-3 game, and an abundance of hope.<\/p>\n

Then again, for as much as Mets fans like to personalize their gloom as somehow superior to other flailing franchises, there was no mystique about that. An uncanny bit of positioning by the Marlins, a nice catch, Alonso able to only embrace Lindor, who nuzzled his head in Alonso\u2019s chest after the inning.<\/p>\n

The Mets were only out of playoff position for nine days this entire season. The flip side? Nobody ever wept for an 83-79 team missing the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cSuper-talented team,\u201d says Alonso, who confirmed he will opt out of the second year of his $54 million deal, \u201cand the reality is we fell short.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t even get to October. We fell short”<\/p>\n

While owner Steve Cohen\u2019s pockets may, in fact, be bottomless, his boutique purchases did result in a lopsided roster. Soto, Lindor and Alonso combined for 15.8 WAR; their most valuable starting pitcher, Kodai Senga, produced 2.2\u00a0 and ended the year in the minor leagues.<\/p>\n

The ill-advised signing of injury-prone Frankie Montas set the group back immediately. A deft backstop signing of Griffin Canning seemed to rescue them, until Canning blew out his Achilles.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

And then there were the kids, arriving one after another \u2013 Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, asked to save the season. Only the first one up \u2013 McLean, who posted a 2.06 ERA and struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings in eight starts \u2013 was up to the task.<\/p>\n

1 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Andruw Monasterio of the Milwaukee Brewers is dunked with gatorade after a walk-off single in the 10th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on Sept. 13, 2025, in Milwaukee. The win clinched a 2025 MLB postseason berth for the Brewers.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Brandon Marsh and Walker Buehler of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

David Robertson and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

First baseman Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate after clinching the NL East division title at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber celebrates clinching the NL East division with a win over Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Harrison Bader after clinching the NL East division title after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-5 at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 15, 2025, in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park on Sept. 17, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch celebrates with a victory cigar after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates to secure a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Outfielder Seiya Suzuki and manager Craig Counsell of the Chicago Cubs celebrate the team’s 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates to clinch a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs poses for a photo as he celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Justin Turner of the Chicago Cubs smokes a cigar to celebrate the team clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs on Sept. 17, 2025, after an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw waves to fans as he exits the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers clinched a postseason berth in the win over the Giants but honored Kershaw instead of celebrating.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Abner Uribe of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates clinching the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

A photo of former broadcaster Bob Uecker is displayed in the Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse after the Brewers clinched the 2025 NL Central division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in St. Louis.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Kevin Gausman and George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates with teammates after they clinched a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate with manager John Schneider in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

22 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Trey Yesavage and teammates celebrate in the locker room after clinching a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs with a win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

25 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch a berth in the 2025 MLB playoffs at Petco Park on Sept. 22, 2025, in San Diego.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

26 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

San Diego Padres first baseman Luis Arraez and catcher Freddy Fermin celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

27 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado and infielder Jose Iglesias celebrate after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

28 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt celebrates with players after the Padres clinched a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs by beating the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

29 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

30 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees celebrates with Jose Caballero in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

31 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Jasson Domi\u00adnguez of the New York Yankees celebrates in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

32 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The New York Yankees celebrate in the locker room after clinching a 2025 MLB playoffs spot in a walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, in New York.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

33 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

34 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

35 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson celebrates after defeating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

36 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

J.P. Crawford of the Seattle Mariners smokes a cigar after beating the Colorado Rockies to clinch a 2025 MLB playoffs berth at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 23, 2025, in Seattle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

37 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Third baseman Eugenio Suarez, manager Dan Wilson and outfielder Julio Rodri\u00adguez of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

38 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Julio Rodri\u00adguez and Victor Robles of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

39 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Seattle Mariners celebrate after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

40 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena douses catcher Cal Raleigh after winning the AL West division title with a win over the Colorado Rockies at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Sept. 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

41 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates with his team after they won the NL West Division crown at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

42 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani celebrates with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates after clinching the National League West title against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

43 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their National League West championship after a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

44 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after winning the National League West title after a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

45 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Hyeseong Kim of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

46 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

47 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

48 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

Alex Call, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the NL West division title at Chase Field on Sept. 25, 2025 in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

49 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Boston Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates clinching a playoff spot with teammates at Fenway Park on Sept. 26, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

50 \/ 50<\/p>\n

Must-see photos as Red Sox, Dodgers, Mariners and more clinch MLB postseason berths<\/p>\n

The Boston Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates clinching a playoff spot with teammates at Fenway Park on Sept. 26, 2025.<\/p>\n

So it was spackle and hope for the best and that closer Edwin Diaz remained intact. That he did, firing two dominant innings in a desperation appearance in Game 162, the look of disgust on his face suggesting what the hell he was doing pitching with a 4-0 deficit.<\/p>\n

Such is the nature of do-or-die games, one that a club with an estimated $85 million luxury tax bill might have figured was beneath them.<\/p>\n

Yet even an expensive trinket can be poorly put together. And now the club faces a big decision on Alonso this winter.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one of the reasons why this sucks,\u201d Lindor told reporters in Miami. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of good guys here, and it\u2019s not going to be the same. It doesn\u2019t feel good for not accomplishing what we set out to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond that, they\u2019ll have to decide how young they want to go in the rotation or if they want to try and go the luxe route yet again, three years after the Justin Verlander-Max Scherzer experiment failed.<\/p>\n

Those questions came quicker than they would\u2019ve preferred, thanks to an eight-game September losing streak and two losses in three games in Miami, when just one more win would do.<\/p>\n

Collapse? Not really. The warning lights have been lit since June.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mets miss MLB playoffs despite huge payroll. They just weren’t good.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the end, it was not a collapse for the New York Mets, even if it will be…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":262484,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5122],"tags":[5229,98412,27639,5048,31972,3689,32619,3696,137251,98415,3693,27641,1286,124395,405,403,1305,5226,5225,85371,5228,5227,3687,137252,79782,26096,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-262483","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-brandon-sproat","10":"tag-carlos-mendoza","11":"tag-cincinnati-reds","12":"tag-edwin-diaz","13":"tag-francisco-lindor","14":"tag-frankie-montas","15":"tag-griffin-canning","16":"tag-javier-sanoja","17":"tag-jonah-tong","18":"tag-juan-soto","19":"tag-kodai-senga","20":"tag-miami-marlins","21":"tag-national-league-championship-series","22":"tag-new-york","23":"tag-new-york-city","24":"tag-new-york-mets","25":"tag-newyork","26":"tag-newyorkcity","27":"tag-nolan-mclean","28":"tag-ny","29":"tag-nyc","30":"tag-pete-alonso","31":"tag-ryne-stanek","32":"tag-scherzer","33":"tag-sean-manaea","34":"tag-united-states","35":"tag-united-states-of-america","36":"tag-unitedstates","37":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","38":"tag-us","39":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115284684554198410","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/262484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}