Juan Soto's inconsistency has surfaced again at inconvenient time for Mets
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The Mets are getting the bad version of Juan Soto again.
After coming up with just a single in Sunday's 12-4 loss to the Giants, Soto is 8-for-56 with three extra-base hits in his past 15 games.
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Even in Saturday's win, when the rest of the top half of the lineup combined to pummel the Giants with 10 RBIs, Soto came up mostly empty.
After Soto dominated pretty much from start to finish in his lone season with the Yankees last year, he's been much more prone to streakiness so far with the Mets.
Outside of a June in which Soto put up an OPS of 1.196, the right fielder has been very human the rest of the season.
3 New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto reacts after he strikes out swinging in the first inning against the Giants on Aug. 2.
JASON SZENES/ NY POST
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And his production, not surprisingly, is crucial to whatever success the Mets have, since Soto's OPS in wins is 1.038, compared to just .629 in losses.
Combined with Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso also going through slumps — although they've warmed up of late — the team's recent mediocrity is not entirely on the struggling rotation.
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Instead, it's also on an offense that has been held to three or fewer runs in four of their past five games.
It doesn't take much to get Soto going, as he proved in June, but the Mets need him to snap out of his current funk quickly, especially with the rotation a mess.
3 Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) pops out during the tenth inning when the New York Mets played the San Francisco Giants Friday, August 1, 2025.
Robert Sabo for NY Post
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Francisco Alvarez had a pair of hits in Sunday's loss, and Mendoza has liked what he's seen from the catcher since his return from his stint in the minors, where he was sent after another poor start to a season.
'Overall, he's a different player for us,' Mendoza said.
He's hit well in his nine games since his return, but Mendoza singled out Alvarez's improved work behind the plate as the most notable change.
3 Francisco Alvarez #4 of the New York Mets hits a double during the 5th inning.
Jason Szenes / New York Post
'The biggest thing for me is his ability to block pitches,'' the manager said. 'He's always been a good receiver, but he's had a better ability to present pitches [since his return].'
Tylor Megill threw a simulated game at Citi Field prior to Sunday's game and Mendoza said the right-hander, out since June with a right elbow sprain, 'felt good' in the 20-pitch outing.
The next step will be a two-inning simulated game Thursday.
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Paul Blackburn, who pitched a rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, will likely throw a bullpen session in the next few days as the Mets determine his next step.
The right-hander could be used as a spot starter, but there's no clear role for him on the roster.
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The Mets recalled right-hander Austin Warren from Triple-A Syracuse for Sunday's game and designated Rico Garcia for assignment. Warren tossed four innings in relief to save the rest of the bullpen. With Ryne Stanek unable to complete the ninth, Luis Torrens got the final out and was the 42nd Mets pitcher to take the mound this season, already tied for the most in franchise history.
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