Citi Field wasn’t exactly a happy place this week, and for a good reason. It almost seems like the New York Mets are following in the New York Yankees’ footsteps, at least when you look at the performances lately. They are in a funk, and fans are running out of patience.

It all started in West, when the Mets got swept by the San Diego Padres in a series that exposed the cracks of the team. Then came the loss against the Giants, when they dropped two of three in front of their crowd. And as if that was not good enough, they followed it up by losing the first two games to the Cleveland Guardians.

Three straight losses in August—and this was the team that was supposed to be chasing a division title. So, of course, frustration boiled over when Juan Soto stepped up to the plate in the Guardians series.

The moment felt unreal, but that’s the bitter truth—Juan Soto, the $760 million man, the gem of the off-season last time, getting booed at home. Not at Yankee Stadium but at Citi Field. Ouch! But it was not just about one at-bat; it was about 11 straight innings without one hit. That team looks flatlined, and Soto is having to bear the brunt of it. And why not?

When you are paid that much, that comes at a price—the weight of expectations. Soto has not been terrible, but fans want more. Soto is slashing. 249/.383/.477 with 25 homers and 63 RBIs across 112 games. For most players, that’s great, but for Soto, it’s way below what people want to see from him.

Compare that number to what he did last season with the New York Yankees: a .288 average, with about .420 on base and a .989 OPS. That slowing down of production is, of course, visible. And there is an inconsistency in what is driving the fans up the wall. June was magical for him. 322 with 11 hits. But in July, he was stuck with a .210, and August clearly is not off to a good start. Hence, fans are pressing that “boo button”; it is essentially a panic button. And it’s not just Soto having a hard time.

Brandon Nimmo’s slump adds to New York Mets’ woes

Amidst the New York Mets’ rough patch, unfortunately, one of the most dependable guys on the roster—Brandon Nimmo—is having a slump. The veteran outfielder, in just the last couple of games, struck out six times. It’s the kind of stat that turns heads, given that most of the offense has not lit up either. But Nimmo is not shying away from facing the uncomfortable truths; in fact, he is clear.

After the Mets dropped 3-2 to the Guardians, their seventh loss in the last eight, Nimmo owned the accountability factor. “It’s part of baseball; you have to get over it. There’s really no way around it.” And he is not wrong; baseball is brutal, and when you are playing in New York, the spotlight is even harsher. But honestly, Nimmo hasn’t been struggling in these last two games. He has struck out at least once in 16 of his last 17 games. That’s a freeze, and given that he struggles even more in times that matter most, it is unnerving.

Like in the loss to Cleveland, Nimmo came up empty with Sito in scoring position twice. That’s two chances to change the script, right? But they still ended up being in the losing side. But the Mets front office is not writing him off yet; Carlos Mendoza was clear: “Nimmo is swinging at fastballs; they’re doing a good job of attacking him.” According to him, even the best of hitters lose a little edge from time to time. At 32 years old, Nimmo has been a cornerstone for the lineup of the New York Mets. And the team believes he can rise up. For now, though, it’s strange that both Yankee and Mets, baseball teams of New York, are under quicksand now. Which one do you think will get a boost soon?