Mets Make Unfortunate MLB History in Loss to Braves

Mets Make Unfortunate MLB History in Loss to Braves  originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The New York Mets suffered a 4-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on Thursday, extending their slump in dramatic fashion. Once the hottest team in the National League, the Mets have now dropped nine of their last 10 games—a skid that has erased their once-comfortable advantage in the standings.

Their latest defeat leaves them clinging to a half-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL Wild Card spot. For a team that appeared destined for a deep postseason run just weeks ago, the sudden decline has brought their season to a precarious tipping point.

Mets Set Unfortunate MLB Record on Thursday

Thursday’s game followed a troubling pattern—solid starting pitching undermined by late-inning failures. Kodai Senga delivered 5.2 innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts, but reliever Ryan Helsley faltered in the eighth. After walking Marcell Ozuna, he surrendered consecutive doubles to Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies, the latter driving in the go-ahead run. Harris and Albies each finished with three hits, with Albies’ RBI double sealing the Braves’ comeback.

The loss also cemented an unwanted place in MLB history. According to OPTA Stats, the Mets are now one of only two teams in the last 30 years—the other being the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers—to hold the best record in MLB in June or later and still endure a 2–13 stretch in the same season.

MLB teams in the last 30 years to have the best record in MLB in June or later & have a 2-13 or worse stretch in the same season:

2025 Mets
2017 Dodgers pic.twitter.com/P0ms8CrNTn

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 15, 2025

Their recent offensive struggles have been glaring, averaging just three runs per game during this slide. The bullpen has repeatedly squandered leads, and defensive miscues have cost them key outs. What was once a division-contending team has quickly become one fighting to simply stay alive in the playoff race. The pressure on manager Carlos Mendoza has only intensified as the skid now threatens to undo months of early-season success.

Mets Playoff Hopes on the Line

The Mets (64-57) currently find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sitting five games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East’s top spot after leading the division before the All-Star break. With their postseason cushion down to a half-game, the Mets will be looking to turn things around, and Mendoza’s decisions in the coming days will be heavily scrutinized as fans grow restless.

The immediate challenge comes Friday, when they open a three-game home series against the surging Seattle Mariners (67-55), one of MLB’s hottest teams. With the schedule tightening and competition stiffening, the Mets must quickly rediscover their early-season form—or risk watching their playoff hopes vanish.

Related: Braves' Brian Snitker Announces Disappointing Austin Riley Update Before Mets Game

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.