Kodai Senga's 9.00 ERA Is Staring Down the Mets and Nobody Has Answers
Alright, Emerald City, let's talk some baseball. The New York Mets are in an absolute freefall, and you won't believe the numbers coming out of their rotation. We're talking about a team desperate for momentum, but their pitching staff looks like it's actively sabotaging them. This isn't just a slump, folks, this is a crisis, especially for Kodai Senga, who's rocking an astronomical 9.00 ERA heading into a big series against the Chicago Cubs.
Mets' Mid-Season Mayhem
Man, what a mess the Mets are in right now. They've dropped seven of their last 12 games, spiraling downward when they should be building momentum before the All-Star break hits in mid-July. You gotta feel for Juan Soto though, because the dude is absolutely mashing! He's reached base safely in 13 straight games, batting a ridiculous .386 with four dingers and nine RBIs. Imagine having that firepower and still losing!
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There's a glimmer of hope on the horizon, with Francisco Lindor possibly returning this week after being out since April 22 with a strained left calf. He's playing his third rehab game for Triple-A Syracuse today and could be back as soon as Wednesday. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza sounds hopeful, saying, "We'll reassess after the (rehab) game and see what's next for him." But even with Soto killing it and Lindor maybe coming back, their pitching is a disaster. Freddy Peralta gave up a career-high 10 runs in just 2 2/3 innings on Saturday, and David Peterson coughed up five runs, four earned, on Sunday. Mendoza admitted, "It's on us to continue to figure this thing out, try to help these guys. Those are the guys that we're counting on, and we need to help them." They need a lot of help.
Cubs' Star Power vs. Senga's Struggles
On the other side, the Cubs have been a head-scratcher. After opening the season 27-12, they've gone a baffling 13-25. Talk about falling off a cliff! But hold up, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting on a clinic. This dude just earned his second NL Player of the Week award this month, and his June numbers are insane: .437 batting average, nine homers, and 14 RBIs. For the season, he's at .286 with 16 home runs and 40 RBIs. Cubs manager Craig Counsell couldn't stop praising him, saying, "His production has just been excellent. His production is taking a big step forward, and that's meaningful for us." Mets starter Kodai Senga needs to be careful with Crow-Armstrong!
Senga, back from a seven-week stint on the injured list for lumbar spine inflammation, is having a nightmare season. He's 0-5 with a horrific 9.00 ERA. In his last start, he gave up four runs over four innings against the Reds. Before that, against these very Cubs on April 17, he got absolutely lit up for seven runs, six earned, in just 3 1/3 innings. It's a tough spot for him. Facing him tonight is Cubs righty Edward Cabrera, who's 4-4 with a 5.21 ERA. He left his last outing with right hand cramping, but said it "was just a cramp that I felt. I was scared, but it was just a cramp." Let's hope his hand is truly fine.
The Fight for Momentum
Tonight's game kicks off a big four-game series for both these teams, with a split doubleheader planned for Wednesday after Monday's rainout. Both the Mets and Cubs are desperate to find some rhythm and build momentum before the All-Star break. Can Lindor's potential return spark the Mets? Will Crow-Armstrong continue his incredible tear for the Cubs? And can Senga finally turn things around, or will his ERA keep climbing? You gotta tune in to see if either of these teams can figure it out!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.