There was no shortage of energy when the Mets rolled into Philadelphia for a weekend clash that had a little more edge than usual. With these teams targeting to dominate the NL East, the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park was electric. Prime-time lights, a sold-out crowd and two competitors with postseason aspirations made it look larger than just another June game.

However, the attention quickly turned into a disaster for the Phillies’ rookie. After enabling a solo shot to Brandon Nimmo in the first inning, things unraveled quickly. In the third, Phillies pitcher Mick Abel surrendered three straight home runs to Lindor, Nimmo again and Soto. By the end of Mick Abel’s three-inning outing, he had given up four homers and this helped the Mets to snap their seven-game losing streak with an 11-4 statement win.

However, Abel did not dodge the aftermath. The pitcher stood at his locker and said what could have been the most sobering situation of the night. “Fastball command, in general,” Abel admitted. “Just missing the zone too much. Trying to go top rail or above the zone, but just kind of left it over the plate.” It was not an excuse, it was an X-ray. Mick Abel’s entire game was built around high heat. However, execution is vital and when you are facing Juan Soto, Nimmo and Lindor, any misplaced heaters can become instant regrets. “A little higher would’ve been great,” Abel added, highlighting Soto’s rocket into the right-field seats.

For Mick Abel, this exposed a pattern. The star has made five MLB starts. Against softer lineups, like the Marlins, Pirates and the Blue Jays—Abel looked elite. However, up against real firepower, Cubs and Mets? Distinctive story. Seven runs, 12 hits and seven home runs allowed in just seven innings between those two matchups and it forced Rob Thomson’s hand, because, after 73 pitches in three innings, the manager shut Mick Abel down. “We’ve got to protect him,” the skipper said. He praised Abel’s poise, sure—however, calm waters also can mask a brewing storm.

What made the outing more stinging? It came at a moment when the Mets snapped a seven-game losing streak and the team did it in a record-tying way. Juan Soto’s numbers? Four hits, two long balls and four RBIs. That is not a slump-buster—it is a statement. After back-to-back sweeps from the Rays and Braves, the team needed such a win badly.

While Abel’s rough outing handed the Mets a reset scope, what came behind the scenes showed just how much the team is still working to patch up its roster cracks.

Mets dig into depth chart again with familiar utility move

The Mets did not just break a skid on the field—they were also making moves off it, quietly bringing back a star that could look vaguely familiar: Pablo Reyes. Just days after being designated for assignment by the Yankees, the star chose free agency and landed with the Mets on a minor-league deal. It was not a blockbuster, however, it was classic Mets—getting a plug-and-play utilityman to shore up the roster in case more injuries and inconsistencies occur.

Pablo Reyes’ bat did not impress the Yankees. A .194 average and a 31 wRC+ across 34 plate appearances had the star looking overmatched in a crowded infield. However, that did not scare the Mets, who already had a brief taste of the star in 2024. Pablo Reyes only appeared in one game in that season—however, it was enough to show off the instincts and provide the management something to log in the memory bank. Now back in Triple-A Syracuse, the star is a depth piece with nothing to lose and versatility to provide, specifically, if the Mets identify themselves stretched thin again.

For a team thinking to stay competitive into the fall, such low-key insurance can pay off quickly. Reyes will not steal the spotlight, however, the star is exactly the kind of player teams are thankful to have when the real grind begins.

The Mets could have stolen the attention with a historic power display. However, the deeper story lies in how these teams are evolving. While Mick Abel is going through a trial by fire, the Mets are quietly reinforcing their base. As the NL East battle heats up, such moments could end up shaping the season.

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