The New York Mets have struggled offensively to start the 2026 MLB season. Entering their April 3 game against the San Francisco Giants, the Mets have scored more than four runs once in their seven games, and that game was on Opening Day in their 11-7 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Since that game, New York has scored four runs or fewer, which has them at 3-4. With players like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Bo Bichette, and others, many would believe the Mets’ offense wouldn’t have an issue scoring runs.
Nonetheless, despite this slow offensive start out of the game, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal stated that his panic meter isn’t going off yet, one week into the season.
“It’s a week, and I saw somebody point out that they started 3-3 in some of their better years, and there’s no way to judge them right now,” Rosenthal said on the April 3 edition of “Foul Territory.” “In fact, I wrote this, and I believed it. I feel it might take this team a little bit more time to gel than maybe other teams.
“They have so many new players, so many new coaches. There’s a lot going on there. It just might take them time to get comfortable with each other and just play to their potential. So I’m not necessarily surprised by this. I’m not necessarily worried by it.”
New York Is Under a Huge Amount of Pressure to Succeed
Nonetheless, Rosenthal admits that while he isn’t worried about the Mets’ offense right now, they do play in New York. After missing the playoffs last season, there’s pressure on the team and front office to deliver postseason baseball. Any prolonged struggles, and it could be a long season for the Mets.
“They’re under huge pressure, and there are a lot of different pressure points there,” Rosenthal added. “One, on the new players to perform with Bichette, Polanco, and all the guys they brought in. Two, on the manager, Carlos Mendoza. They changed a lot of coaches last offseason, and usually that is the precursor to a managerial change if things don’t go well.
“Then three, on David Stearns, the president of baseball operations, because he was the architect of what they’ve done… At the same time, there’s pressure there. Sure, it’s New York, and it’s a team that underachieved in a massive way, almost a historic way, last season.”
Bo Bichette Doesn’t Hold Back on Boos From Mets Fans
Bichette, along with trading for Freddy Peralta, was one of the marquee offseason decisions that New York made. The third baseman came over from the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency, and it’s been a challenging start with Mets fans already booing him.
After the 4-3 loss to the Pirates on March 29 at Citi Field, Bichette shared his thoughts on Mets fans letting him know how they felt about his play to start the season.
“If anything, I thought it took too long,” Bichette said when reporters asked him about the boos (h/t SNY). “I get it. I thought my at-bats were terrible too.”
Moreover, Bichette was asked about his specific struggles at the plate during these three games against the Pirates.
“I think, sometimes in between, sometimes trying to do too much,” Bichette added (h/t SNY). “That’s pretty much what happens when you don’t feel good.”
Ken Rosenthal Issues Blunt Message on Mets’ Early Struggles