It wouldn’t be a weekend series without experiencing a frustrating New York Mets loss.
Entering the three-game series against the Braves on a two-game losing streak, the Mets won the first two games to win the series and get back to winning ways.
However, any positive momentum was halted on Sunday thanks to a sloppy loss to Atlanta in the finale. As a result, we were reminded of all of this team’s flaws and shortcomings.
Therefore, the upcoming series with the Phillies is even more do-or-die as it pertains to the NL East. Failure to take at least two out of three could effectively end any hopes of winning the division.
However, before we look too far ahead, let’s first look back and reflect on the weekend that was in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…
Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
3 UP
NOT BAD FOR AN ENCORE
Nolan McLean‘s MLB debut was one to remember. His second career outing was even better. On the road for the first time and pitching in a hostile environment, McLean balled out against the Braves on Friday night. He allowed just two earned runs and no walks on four hits with seven strikeouts across seven innings. Granted, the righty did benefit from plenty of run support in the series opener. But, even so, he still did his job by being efficient and going long, ensuring that another bullpen implosion didn’t hurt his team. We’re dealing with a small sample size here, but McLean has exciting potential and lots of upside. And, based on his first two career starts in the bigs, he could be the big-innings arm this rotation so badly needs.
ON A TEAR
Welcome back, Mark Vientos. The 2024 version of the slugger has been an absolute no-show for most of 2025. Until now, that is. Vientos has looked more like his old self as of late, and never was that more evident than this weekend. He was almost unstoppable against the Braves, hitting three home runs in just two days. He finished the series 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits and five RBIs. Consequently, Vientos is now hitting .357/.400/.958 during a scorching seven-game hitting streak. If this latest stretch is real, and Vientos is indeed back, then that will only be good for the Mets as we approach the stretch run.
UNDER-THE-RADAR
Starling Marte is quietly becoming a reliable piece in this lineup. The veteran has had to settle for a part-time role in 2025, but he’s made the job his own. We saw how valuable Marte can be on Saturday when the veteran had his fingerprints all over a big series-clinching win. He finished 3-for-3 with a run scored, a home run, one RBI, two stolen bases, and a walk. Furthermore, Marte also contributed in the field with an outfield assist. As a result of that monster outing, Marte became the first player with a homer, outfield assist, and two stolen bases in a game since 2023. He is also now the active leader in both stolen bases (361) and outfield assists (107). He may not be the player he once was, but Marte is proving that he can still contribute in a significant way.
Brandon Nimmo. Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
3 DOWN
GOING STREAKING
Pete Alonso has hit somewhat of another skid. The slugger, the newly-crowned Mets’ home run king, was quiet for the most part in Atlanta. He did hit a home run and finish with two RBIs on Saturday. But, outside of that, he was hitless on Sunday and went 2-for-15 in the series overall. As a result, Alonso is now hitting just .111/.172/.259 with just one homer over his last six games. Locked in an intense battle for the playoffs, the Mets need Alonso to go on an absolute heater, and soon.
STIFF ISSUE
Brandon Nimmo has been battling a stiff neck, and he missed the vast majority of the Braves series. In fact, the only time we saw Nimmo in Atlanta was as a pinch-hitter on Sunday. The expectation now is that Nimmo will return to the lineup on Monday. However, the veteran has also dealt with neck issues before. Plus, this continues a trend of Nimmo going down hurt just as he’s really hitting a stride. With every win crucial at this stage of the season, the Mets can’t afford for anyone at the top of the lineup to go cold. The hope will be that Nimmo can recover quickly from neck stiffness and contribute in a big way down the stretch.
SAME OLD ISSUES
The Mets couldn’t sweep this series because of the flaws that have led to them playing bad baseball for a long stretch. The same old problems were also on display throughout the weekend in Atlanta. The bullpen tried its best to give the game away on Friday. Reed Garrett and Ryan Helsley combined to give up five earned runs on six hits over the final two innings. Thankfully, the offense had built enough of a lead to survive that collapse.
On Saturday, despite scoring nine runs, the offense went 1-for-9 with RISP, leaving nine runners stranded. It was a similar story on Sunday, but with a different outcome. The lineup again went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, with a lack of offense leading to a loss. Gregory Soto then allowed the go-ahead runs in the eighth to seal a frustrating day at the office. The Mets, despite winning this series, still aren’t playing clean baseball. And that’s a very real concern with the Phillies now in town.
