After dropping seven straight games in a stunning collapse, the Mets finally showed signs of life with a jaw-dropping power display on Saturday. They launched not one, but seven home runs in a single night! It almost felt like a turning point, and a sigh of relief swept through the dugout. But, unfortunately, it was short-lived. Less than 24 hours later, they crashed again, this time in a 7-1 loss to the Phillies. And that loss came with a cost: the Phillies overtook the Mets to take the top spot in the division. But then again, this is the Mets. And if there’s one thing this team won’t do, it’s go quietly.

After the stunning 11-4 win, the Metsies would’ve hoped things were finally back to normal. But giving up the top spot in the NL East? That’s hardly a good sign for a team with October aspirations. But, even amid these troubling losses, their spirits haven’t dimmed. Remember, this is the same team that pushed around the reigning World Series champions in the last seven games they faced off. But right now, according to Mets reliever Reed Garrett, all they are focusing on is themselves, not any comparisons with rivals.

“I think we’ve got a lot of guys who lead by example and show what it takes to be a dominant team,” Garrett said in an appearance on Meet the Apple with host Jonathan Baron. “And I think we’re seeing that on the field. We’re seeing that in all the different position groups, the position players, the infielders, the outfielders, the catchers, the starting pitchers, the relievers, we’re all like a tight-knit group within a tight-knit group,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is we’re comparing ourselves, holding ourselves accountable, and pushing forward,” Garrett added.

Garrett may have struggled in his last two outings, but his confidence hasn’t shaken, especially in his teammates. After all, the Mets have one of the best lineups in MLB, no doubt. To make things even better,  Juan Soto has finally overcome the concerning slump he faced earlier this season. He has started playing like the $765 million player he was supposed to be.

In Saturday’s game, he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. The decision to re-sign Pete Alonso has also rewarded the team. They have Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo delivering for the team as well. However, that didn’t help stop them from a losing streak, and now it has triggered alarms from across the MLB world.

“I think Mets fans should be worried. During this losing streak, everything has fallen apart,” said WFAN radio host Brandon Tierney. Like many, he also believes this recent slump is a sign of widening cracks in the team. Can they choose to ignore this completely? Sadly, no. With the loss on Sunday, the Mets now sit second in the NL East with a 46-33 record. They are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Sure, their batters are producing, but the biggest contributor to the skid has been the struggling pitching staff.

Mets’ bullpen is in shreds

With the Mets suffering back-to-back losses, if one thing is becoming clearer, it is this: they seriously need help with their pitching. Their ERA over the past seven games is a testament to that. A 6.22 ERA? It is definitely not expected from a team that leads the league in ERA this season. So, what is behind this? Recurrent injuries have led to a concerning overuse of the bullpen. And when that happens, it’s natural for the fire to simmer down. Even Mets manager Carlos Mendoza credited their rotation for the ugly slump.

“I feel now the concern is more the state of the bullpen, how much we have used those guys,” Mendoza told the New York Post’s Mike Puma after the series loss. “We have been shuffling a lot of guys, but we have got to find a way. We have got some really good arms in this room, and they will get back on track. They will get us back on track,” he said, sharing hope.

It was so bad that even the usually reliable David Peterson was hammered by Phillies hitters, surrendering two home runs. It gets even worse. His four-inning start on Sunday was his shortest outing of the season. He allowed five runs, and guess what? It is his highest in a game this year. “They made adjustments and whatnot, but I didn’t execute enough pitches,” Peterson said, reflecting on his performance. “And the ones I didn’t execute the way I wanted to, they took advantage of,” he added.

Not just Peterson, Griffin Canning, Clay Holmes, Paul Blackburn, and Blake Tidwell have all cost the team dearly during this losing stretch. The absence of sidelined players like Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill only added fuel to the fire. The return of Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas from the minors is expected soon, which could help the team. One thing is clear: if they want to bounce back from this slump, they need to fix their bullpen, and fast.