Mets' winning streak comes to an end: 3 takeaways from the hot stretch

NEW YORK — The New York Mets’ nine-game winning streak ended Sunday with a 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds because their offense stalled and reliever Phil Maton had a rare poor outing in the ninth inning. But over the Mets’ torrid stretch of quality play, they proved they were ready for September baseball and belong in the playoff race. Advertisement Now, they just have to get used to the potential daily swings of emotions — they fell back into a tie with the Atlanta Braves for the final wild-card spot after gaining a game the previous day — as their schedule gets tougher.

Before the Mets (78-65) begin a road trip featuring three games in Toronto and three in Philadelphia, here are three takeaways from the end of their longest winning streak since 2018 and the league’s longest winning streak of the season. Reds 3, Mets 1: The Mets’ winning streak ended at nine. In a rare rough outing, Phil Maton gave up two runs in the ninth.



Luis Severino (6 2/3 innings) had another quality outing. New York is 78-65. — Will Sammon (@WillSammon) September 8, 2024 At one point in the Mets’ dugout during Sunday’s game, Severino told Mets catcher Luis Torrens , “I gotta stop throwing sinkers.

” He wasn’t being serious (we think; the pitch has been great for him). He was just a bit frustrated. And understandably so.

Severino allowed five hits but only one was hit hard ( Elly De La Cruz ’s 96 mph single). Here are the four other exit-velocity readings: 79 mph, 64 mph, 47 mph, 35 mph. One of those (the 47 mph super-soft “liner” off Luke Fraley’s bat) went for a double.

Yeah. It was that kind of day. But it didn’t matter much for Severino, who completed 6 2/3 innings only allowing a run, those five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

The soft contact is an ongoing product of Severino pitching more to contact with a strong sinker. The new method this season has allowed him pitch effectively deep into games. Severino was still deploying a high-velocity four-seam fastball late in his outing on Sunday.

That’s a great sign for the Mets, who need him to keep rolling. Last week against the Red Sox , Severino — up to 166 innings after totaling 209 1/3 innings from 2018-22 — tossed seven innings and allowed just one run. His ERA is down to a respectable 3.

74. Advertisement With better pitch sequencing and more strikes, Severino has shown improvement over the season much like others in the Mets rotation, namely David Peterson and Sean Manaea . Over the last 10 games, the Mets rotation had a sparkling 2.

05 ERA, the major’s best in the timeframe. The Mets received at least six innings from their starters in seven of the 10 games, too. The combination of quality and length eased the burden of the bullpen and allowed relievers to be used more effectively.

According to FanGraphs’ all-encompassing defensive metric, the Mets are no longer a negative fielding team. That’s a vast improvement from spending most of the first half ranked at the bottom of the National League. The winning streak — and even Sunday’s loss, for that matter — showcased the Mets’ flash, dependability and competence.

The defensive highlights happened all over. Francisco Lindor has made a habit of charging a ball hit toward the mound, fielding it on the run and making a perfect throw for an out. The Mets turned multiple double plays in four of their last six games, with none prettier than the ones featuring Jose Iglesias and Lindor.

Outfielder Brandon Nimmo simply referred to the tandem as “unbelievable.” Third baseman Mark Vientos has shown improved range, particularly going to his right. On Sunday, he made a diving stop toward the line, looked to second base, thought better of throwing the ball and instead fired to first base from his knees for an out.

The quality play extends to the outfield, too. Harrison Bader continued to make great reads in center field and made a heady play a couple of days ago when his throw to second base prevented a runner from advancing. (The runner would’ve likely scored on a subsequent hit had he advanced to second but didn’t).

Earlier in the winning streak, Tyrone Taylor had the Spider-Man-like grab in Chicago against the netting. Manager Carlos Mendoza has expertly used both as defensive substitutions late in games. Advertisement Also important: The Mets have controlled the running game.

Severino picked off Santiago Espinal from first base in the fifth inning on Sunday. The Mets have a major-league-leading 20 pickoffs, including four over their last 10 games. Teams used to torment the Mets on the bases, but backup catcher Luis Torrens has made quite a difference.

He threw out De La Cruz attempting to swipe second base on Sunday. De La Cruz has 62 stolen bases, including three against the Mets in April. He was mostly kept off the bases over the weekend and didn’t record a stolen base.

With a laugh, Nimmo said he would talk to Mets owner Steve Cohen about helping to pay for extending the foul poles at Citi Field after he narrowly missed home runs on consecutive days. After a prolonged slump, Nimmo has shown some good signs at the plate, Mendoza said. But just like his long foul balls, the results are close but not quite there.

Nimmo went 0-for-4 Sunday after going 8-for-30 (.267) with one double and four walks over the winning streak. Similarly, Alonso has offered glimpses of getting on a powerful run but hasn’t gotten there.

Alonso had two walks and was hit by a pitch Sunday but struck out looking in the ninth inning. Over the winning streak, he went 7-for-36 (.194) with three home runs.

“They’re still going to give you good at-bats,” Mendoza said. “I feel like Nimmo’s at-bats have better as of late. Couple of inches today from a homer.

He’s still going to walk. Same thing with Pete. They’re finding ways to get on base.

” It’s worth noting that Mendoza has not been the kind of manager who offers empty optimism. In other instances this season, he has spotted a key at-bat or specific pitch before a string of better production from a player. With Lindor cooling off over the weekend (1-for-12, a single), the top of the Mets’ batting order stalled except for Vientos’ two home runs on Friday.

Of course, it can be looked at the other way, too: The Mets continued to receive production from other parts of their lineup with Vientos, Jesse Winker , J.D. Martinez and Harrison Bader getting key hits at different points of the winning streak.

But obviously, the Mets would only be better if Nimmo and Alonso got on rolls of their own. (Photo of Luis Severino: Evan Bernstein / Getty Images).