The Mets’ current defeat against the Nationals could not have come at a worse time. Brandon Nimmo went 0-for-5 at the plate, striking out in a pivotal moment, and his .260 average stood as a reminder of wasted chances. Instead of making progress in the Wild Card sprint, New York’s lineup failed poorly, leaving Citi Field in quite shock.

Ryan Finkelstein of Locked On Mets encapsulated it plainly: “It’s not like anyone came away from this game and said Wow, those three strikeouts in five innings were carving. No, the Mets just couldn’t come through.” He emphasized how even relievers such as Connor Pinkington, Clayton Beeter, and Saurin Laauo, none of whom were considered dominant arms, threw scoreless innings. “I hate to call it pathetic,” he added, “but we talked about how bad the Nationals’ pitching is, and the Mets could not figure it out.”

The consequences are disastrous. With the loss, New York’s slim one-game edge over Cincinnati is under heavy pressure. The Reds’ 6-3 win over the Cubs, sparked by homers from Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, and Tyler Stephenson, has them sitting right on the Mets’ heels. Finkelstein did not sugarcoat the math: “Their magic number is seven with seven left… if the Reds win out, the Mets have to win out too. Otherwise, they will not make it.”

Fans are left wondering if this is just a bad night or a symptom of a huge collapse. According to Finkelstein, the answer is painfully clear: “This team has played bad baseball for too long. Every time you get a semblance of hope, they take your heart, they rip it out of your chest for a night, and they stomp on it.” Saturday’s blown chance was exactly that hope raised, then crushed.

Meanwhile, the Reds are doing the total opposite. As Finkelstein observed, “The Reds are doing what you’re supposed to on your final homestand of the season. They’re making it count.” Behind Hunter Greene’s gem and consistent, timely hitting, the Reds have listed off three straight wins against the Cubs, who, despite having little to play for, are not giving games away. The Reds are taking them, and that relentless energy is now around the Mets’ biggest issue.

And as if Brandon Nimmo’s struggles and the Mets’ wasted chances were not enough, Saturday’s loss also raised tough questions about Carlos Mendoza’s bullpen management.

Why Carlos Mendoza Didn’t Pitch Edwin Díaz in the 11th Inning Backfired on the Mets

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shielded his choice not to push Edwin Díaz into the 11th inning, even after the closer breezed through a scoreless 10th on just seven pitches. “He pitched two nights ago, got hot yesterday. We’re only [using him] for one inning today,” Mendoza explained. Instead, Tyler Rogers was responsible for the high-leverage frame, only to yield a two-run, inside-the-park homer to Daylen Lile that secured a crushing 5-3 loss to the Nationals.

The decision points out the ongoing instability of New York’s bullpen. Rogers had been sharp recently, giving up just one earned run across 7 ⅔ innings before Saturday, but the gamble did not pay off. Meanwhile, the Mets jumbled up their relief corps again, adding Richard Lovelady, who tossed a scoreless inning, while designating Wander Suero for assignment. With Tylor Megill facing an issue with Tommy John surgery and Reed Garrett still weighing options on his elbow injury, Mendoza’s choices are only getting harder. The timing of Tyrone Taylor’s expected comeback from a hamstring issue may help defensively, but it does not fix the late-inning question that continues to haunt this team.

The Mets’ extra-innings collapse and ongoing roster juggling emphasize the fine margins this franchise continues to face. Between cautious bullpen management, Taylor’s comeback, and lingering rotation injuries, every decision feels intensified in a season defined by uncertainty. The upcoming weeks will disclose whether these moves help stabilize momentum or if the Mets’ challenges only penetrate deeper.