The New York Mets, burdened by a league-leading $329 million payroll, find themselves tied for the fourth-worst record in Major League Baseball, on pace to finish with fewer than 70 wins. This season has reached a nadir, marked by a day-night doubleheader sweep by the Chicago Cubs on June 24, 2026, which included a game defined by historic defensive futility.
Defensive Collapse Against Cubs
The Mets committed six errors in the second game of the doubleheader, a single-game high for the team since 2014. Each of the four starting infielders made at least one error, a feat not seen in the franchise since their inaugural year in 1962. Even Francisco Lindor, a player known for his defensive reliability, made an error on the first ground ball he fielded after returning from an injury. The Cubs secured a 10-5 victory in this contest, following a 10-3 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
This defensive performance contributed to the Mets being outscored 50-19 during their current five-game losing streak. Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, who entered the series batting .183, has found significant success against the Mets, hitting 7-for-12 with 15 runs batted in over the three games.
Fan Frustration and Departed Stars
The struggles on the field have ignited frustration among the home crowd at Citi Field. During the game, fans began chanting the name of former star Pete Alonso, who was among several prominent players traded or moved on from by the Mets after a midseason collapse last year that led to missing the postseason. The team's strategy to move towards a "run prevention" system has been undermined by the six errors in a single game.
New York's season record now stands at 34-46. The team has not finished a 162-game season with fewer than 70 wins since 2003, when they posted a 66-95 record. The current trajectory suggests a significant deviation from the "OMG Mets" team that made a National League Championship Series appearance just two years ago.