The 26-33 Mets Are Staring Down Our Pitching, And Their Boss Just Admitted Everything

Alright, 12s, buckle up! The New York Mets are rolling into T-Mobile Park this week, and honestly, it couldn't be a better time for our pitching-rich Mariners to make a statement. Why? Because the Mets are currently sitting at a sad 26-33, and their own president of baseball operations, David Stearns, just straight up said they've "dug ourselves a hole." This isn't just another series, folks. This is a chance to show a struggling team exactly what Seattle baseball is all about.

The Mets' Own Goal

Stearns wasn't pulling punches, either. He admitted, "We have not had a good year so far, there’s no question. We’re not where we thought we would be. We’ve dug ourselves a hole. It’s not an insurmountable hole, but it’s definitely a hole. And we’re going to have to play a lot better baseball to do what we want to do this year." That's a tough pill to swallow for a team that has spent most of its season in or around the basement of the National League. While injuries have taken a toll, the source says many of New York's issues have been "self-inflicted." Ouch. The Mets' "evaluation period" is dragging on, too. Executives typically use the first third of the season for evaluation, but since MLB expanded the postseason to six teams per league in 2022, bubble teams are taking more time. Stearns isn't even expecting the trade market to heat up until the second half of July. That means the Mets have six more weeks to figure out if they're buyers or sellers. Imagine if the deadline were today, they'd probably be selling. Good thing for them, they get a little more time. Bad thing for them, they gotta face *us* first.

The Road Ahead, And Our Mariners

The Mets had a slightly improved May, putting up a .571 winning percentage, and they even swept the Marlins recently behind their three best starters. They also have some cavalry returning soon, with Jorge Polanco having played three rehab games with a slash line of .400/.571/1.000, Francisco Alvarez starting a Minor League rehab assignment this week, and Francisco Lindor beginning baseball activities. Kodai Senga is already two starts into his own rehab assignment. That's all great for them, but Stearns knows the healthy Mets need to play better now. But here's the kicker, 12s. The "degree of difficulty will ratchet up this week." They're coming to the West Coast for the last time this season, straight into a challenging offensive environment right here in Seattle, and then off to face the always-difficult Padres in San Diego. The source says losing four of six on this trip would only increase the calls for a Deadline sell-off, potentially including impending free agents like Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta. So, Mets fans might be waiting for their injured cavalry, and Stearns says, "We're not there yet. We've got time, so we're not there yet." But for our Mariners, who just snatched a gritty 3-2 win against the D-backs, this series at T-Mobile Park isn't about their timeline, it's about *ours*. It's about setting the tone, showing what Seattle baseball is all about, and proving that our pitching staff isn't just "rich," it's dominant. Let's send them back East with an even deeper hole, Mariners!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.