FLUSHING, NY — There was a hangover feeling Thursday afternoon at Citi Field, hot and humid. The hangover effect from hours earlier with the Knicks making a historic comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Fans were buzzing as were the media situated in the press box. Cardinals and Mets players too before their series finale. Historic comebacks and wins have been a part of Mets history, always recall the ‘69 and ‘86 World Series championships.
Mets fans were expecting this to be that year again for their team. Instead, last place standing in the National League East division while trailing the Braves by a wide margin. There is plenty of time still to make up some ground in the standings, more in the Wild Card department. Though manager Carlos Mendoza, his players, and the fan base are looking at that schedule and the season is almost at the halfway point.
Yes, there is always room for hope at this time of the year, a comeback in the works perhaps like the Knicks showed Wednesday evening. The Spurs-Knicks buzz overshadowed a Mets-Cardinals game that began with drama in the first two innings on five home runs from both teams combined and the Cardinals leading 4-3.
It would stay that way until the fifth when the Mets scored a run for the tie. Then that seventh inning and Juan Soto hitting a two out go-ahead solo home run that would stamp the Mets with a 5-4 win to prevent a Cardinals sweep of a three-game series.
The 27-year-old Dominican superstar, a three-time LatinoMVP, hit his 14th home run off a JoJo Romero sweeper to right center. Some fans would call this a carry over of that Knicks win. To some of them Game 4 at the Garden inspired Soto and the Mets. More important when looking at the two is the Mets got a win and they need many more to fight back into contention. Meanwhile the Knicks, up 3-1 on the Spurs, are one win away from immortality.
“That’s what we play for. That’s what we grind for, to get the tough situations and come through,” Soto said. It was his 16th career go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later. Also, the Mets now stand 7-12 in one run games and are aiming to improve with scoring runs in the later innings.
And about those Knicks?
“When you see the fans and how they get crazy like that, it always motivates you to be at the top,” Soto said. “It’s impressive. It’s motivating. I would love all my teammates to get to see how it was at Madison Square Garden for those Finals games.”
Regardless of the basketball, Soto is the Mets’ answer to their offense. When he hits, the offense thrives. When he fails at the plate, it’s a different story. That has to be different if the Mets want to turn things around and play inspiring baseball come August and September.
The lineup also has to be a focal point. Simply, it can’t just be Soto hitting home runs or getting on base.
Inconsistency has been the team’s biggest issue, all around with the rotation and lack of hitting which has amounted to no significant winning streak this season. Realizing their position after 68 games played in 2026, the Mets finally reached the 30-win mark (30-38 on June 11th), perhaps still plenty of time to inch closer and contend for a postseason run.
Their first goal is to get back to .500 and on Thursday, numerous positive signs pointed in that direction with a win. They avoided their sixth series sweep of the season, banging out five runs and six hits with first inning solo home runs from Bo Bichette and Jared Young.
Obviously, though, they can’t rely on one player to be the difference.
Mendoza is aware of that Soto impact, but has stressed the lineup needs to be consistent. In the first two games against St. Louis’ pitching, the Mets scored two runs and were shutout 7-0 in the opener.
“They are working as a unit,” Mendoza said. “We need every single guy in that room. They are working as a unit. I don’t feel good about our record but we have an opportunity to do something.”
Regarding the Soto impact (2-4 with a double, the game-winning HR and one run scored), Mendoza said, “There’s a sense of urgency from him all the time. He wants to win. And he cares, obviously. This guy wants to be the biggest at-bat. He wants to be the guy. I think he goes out there, he prepares and he plays his game.”
Just like the Knicks getting the job done Wednesday night at MSG in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Juan Soto came through in the clutch for the Mets vs. the Cardinals Thursday afternoon at Citi Field – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
But it isn’t pressure that worries Soto, he, like Mendoza, wants the lineup to be consistent and go with the flow. By realizing hitting is contagious though the Mets have been inconsistent in showing it and getting to that point.
“Sometimes it gets a little harder,” Soto said about coming through in a situation that led to a big home run. “But that’s what we work for and that’s what we focus on. Try to do damage every time.”
Rookie Christian Scott allowed a career high three home runs, pitching 4.2 innings and the bullpen bullpen threw four scoreless innings afterward. Luke Weaver, the setup man in the eighth, and Devin Williams, with his ninth save of the season, was how it was drawn up when the Mets signed the duo during the offseason but that has not gone to plan. With that said, Weaver has 16 scoreless innings in his last 17 appearances.
All signs of consistency with the bullpen that got Soto the chance Thursday. It wasn’t a Knicks moment but the Mets now await the division leading Braves this weekend at Citi Field.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X: @Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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