2 Mets Players Force Carlos Mendoza Into Tough Bullpen Call As Franchise Gets Stern Postseason Warning

It is the kind of situation every contender dreads—winning games while their most glaring issues bubble just beneath the surface. For the Mets, the current series against the Phillies showed why optimism needs to be tempered. Basically, two straight wins need to spark a celebration. In reality, those victories masked the very issues that could derail the team’s October dreams. At the center of it all? A pitching staff walking a tightrope, one slip away from disaster.

The cracks begin with the rotation itself. Sal Licata said bluntly on WFAN: “You’re ignoring the same things you were calling up, ripping the team about just because they won these games. It’s not always about the result… the closer we get to the end of the season, the bigger their flaws become.” He is right—outcomes can distract from reality. The star’s inconsistency under normal workload leaves Mendoza guessing how to line up his staff for a must-win series.

Sal was direct on the two players that remain core to their pitching issues: “Senga cannot pitch without extra rest, and even when he does, he’s still not effective. And Manaea is not effective beyond four innings… How do you overcome that?” Senga is not alone in raising alarms. Sean Manaea’s limitations have been just as troubling.  Reliable for could be four innings, the star’s outings routinely force Mendoza to dip into the bullpen far earlier than any manager would like. That reliance was on full display in the Phillies: four and two-thirds innings of labor left the relief corps gassed by the seventh. This is not sustainable over 30 remaining games, let alone a playoff gauntlet where every out matters.

Layered onto this is the bullpen’s own fragility. The so-called “fix” to Senga and Manaea’s short outings was thought to be a deep and flexible relief group. Yet with Ryan Helsley ineffective and the workload on Edwin Díaz and Taylor Rogers bordering on reckless, that safety net looks frayed. As Licata said, “It’s the pitching that has killed them and that’s still a problem. Don’t let the results fool you.” Licata’s warning lands with weight: this is not related to last night’s win; it is related to whether this staff can hold up when the stakes triple.

Ultimately, the question looming over the Mets is simple, however brutal—how do you patch a leaky rotation and a wobbly bullpen with October closing in quickly? Mendoza is being forced into nightly high-wire acts with no margin for error. Sure, a sweep over the Phillies would look great in the standings; however, what happens when the schedule tightens and their flaws can not hide behind late rallies? The wins could be piling up; however, unless these “glaring loopholes” are addressed, so will the doubts.

While the pitching staff remains the most urgent issue, the Mets are also eyeing a vital boost on the team’s offensive side—a return that could shift the dynamic of their lineup just in time.

Francisco Alvarez’s return could be the spark the Mets need

The Mets’ struggles have not been confined to the field—the absence of star catcher Francisco Alvarez has been a vital gap in the team’s lineup. Alvarez has not played since August 17 because of a thumb injury sustained against the Mariners, leaving the team without a reliable bat and defensive anchor. The star’s season data tell the story of his effect: a .265 batting average, seven home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .349 on-base percentage in 56 games. Beyond the stats, Alvarez’s capability to manage the pitching staff and deliver clutch hits makes the star irreplaceable. His return to action—beginning with Wednesday’s rehab assignment in Triple-A—provides hope that the Mets can regain some offensive balance as the postseason chase heats up.

Equally vital is the timing of Francisco Alvarez’s comeback. Reports say that he could rejoin the big-league roster as early as this weekend against the Marlins—a vital stretch where every game carries playoff implications. Having the star back behind the plate would not only lengthen the lineup but also alleviate some stress on an overworked pitching staff, specifically in handling late-game situations. As Joe DeMayo of SNYTV noted, Alvarez looked sharp in batting practice, fueling optimism that his rehab will be short. For a team battling internal flaws and outer doubts, his return could just be the jolt of confidence they need.

The Mets can not afford to overlook such glaring weaknesses any longer. Failing to address them could cost not just this season, but the faith of frustrated fans. It is the time for decisive action, smarter roster moves, and a commitment to long-period stability—because the Mets deserve more than repeated disappointment.