It feels eerily similar to 2022.
The Mets laid an egg to open their critical series with the Braves, falling 5-1 at Truist Park in Atlanta.
They are now just one game above the Braves for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
Starter Luis Severino lasted just four innings and gave up four runs, seven hits and one walk.
Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach, meanwhile, tossed a gem. He gave up just one run and three hits in seven innings, striking out four.
The Mets will have David Peterson on the mound on Wednesday, while the Braves will have National League Cy Young frontrunner Chris Sale.
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By Jared Schwartz
Luis Severino talks about his outing tonight vs. Atlanta pic.twitter.com/wxl0PgePb2
ATLANTA — This opening act with a National League wild-card berth at stake might have gotten the Mets booed off a Broadway stage, but at Truist Park was met mostly with glee.
Was it a lack of energy by the Mets or just dominant pitching by the home team?
Maybe it was a combination of both.
This snooze-fest looked over by the middle innings, with the Mets lineup incapable of providing as much as a buzz Tuesday in a 5-1 loss to the Braves.
Atlanta moved within one game of the Mets for the final wild-card spot, as Arizona — which began the day a half-length behind the Mets for the second spot — prepared to face San Francisco in a later game.
"We still got a chance to win a series here. You're right, we didn't play well. We gotta turn the page. I know it's gonna be a story because it's here in Atlanta. We gotta go out and do it"
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 25, 2024
- Carlos Mendoza pic.twitter.com/KcebUcM2Uj
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game that Francisco Lindor "could be in play" for Wednesday's game.
Carlos Mendoza says Francisco Lindor "could be in play" for tomorrow's game pic.twitter.com/IypMub7BoM
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 25, 2024
It doesn't get any easier for the Mets.
They'll face Cy Young frontrunner Chris Sale on Wednesday. Sale owns an 18-3 record and 2.38 ERA.
The Mets will have David Peterson on the mound. Peterson has enjoyed a breakout season, owning a 9-3 record with a 3.08 ERA.
Both are southpaws.
Francisco Lindor came out to the on-deck circle, seemingly prepared to pinch hit for Tyrone Taylor if Mark Vientos got on base.
Though Vientos flew out to end the game, it's a good sign Lindor was at least prepared to take an at-bat.
Francisco Lindor came out on deck to pinch-hit for Tyrone Taylor in the 9th inning.
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 25, 2024
He did not get an at-bat. pic.twitter.com/ggpatrraXT
The Mets went down in order in the top of the ninth inning and lost 5-1 to open this critical series.
There are two outs, but Francsico Lindor has come out to the on-deck circle.
He will presumably hit if Mark Vientos gets on base.
We head to the top of the ninth inning with the Mets still trailing 5-1.
Pete Alonso, Jesse Winker and Mark Vientos are due up.
It remains 5-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning.
Joe Jimenez replaced Spencer Schwellenbach to start the eighth inning.
