Mets’ Six-Game Skid: Will New York Recover in Crucial NL East Clash With Phillies?

By Oliver Wiener June 21, 2025 19:31

The New York Mets find themselves in a precarious position after a six-game losing streak that threatens their hold atop the fiercely competitive NL East. Their recent 10-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 20, 2025, marked the beginning of a crucial three-game series between division rivals, underscoring the urgency for the Mets to halt their slide and reclaim momentum.

This skid has been a sharp reversal for the Mets, who entered the stretch with the best record in baseball. However, injuries to key pitchers including Tylor Megill (right elbow sprain), Kodai Senga (right hamstring), and Max Kranick (elbow) have severely tested their rotation depth since mid-June. Rookie right-hander Blade Tidwell, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, was tasked with starting the series opener against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. Tidwell struggled, surrendering six runs over 3 2/3 innings, while Wheeler delivered a commanding performance, allowing just two runs over six innings to secure a 10-2 Phillies victory.

The Phillies have surged impressively, winning eight of their last nine games and erasing a 5 1/2-game deficit since June 12. Their recent dominance has been fueled by timely hitting and strong pitching, exemplified by a six-run seventh inning against the Mets that decisively swung the game in their favor. Phillies manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the challenge ahead: “We’ve got to face a really good club. And we’ve got our fan base in front of us, and it will be an exciting weekend”.

For the Mets, the losses have been painful and marked by a lack of offensive production and pitching struggles. Over the six-game skid, they have been outscored 41-14, including sweeps by the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays. Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo offered a candid assessment: “Games are decided by small margins at this level. It’s something that you just have to kind of face, get through it and push through it and try and get to the other side as quickly as possible”.

The stakes could not be higher as both teams currently share the NL East lead at 45-30, setting the stage for a pivotal series that could shape the division race. The Mets’ ability to recover will depend heavily on the health and performance of their pitching staff, as well as regaining their offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, the Phillies' confidence is buoyed by their recent form and the presence of Wheeler, who boasts a 7-2 record with a 2.76 ERA this season and a solid track record against the Mets.

This series serves as a litmus test for the Mets’ resilience and their capacity to withstand adversity. Historically, the NL East has seen dramatic shifts Philadelphia’s late-season surges in 2007 and 2008 famously overturned New York’s leads to claim division titles. The current scenario echoes that rivalry’s intensity, with both teams vying to assert dominance in a tightly contested race.

The Mets’ six-game skid has exposed vulnerabilities but also set the stage for a defining moment in their 2025 campaign. The upcoming NL East clash with the surging Phillies is not just a battle for wins but a test of character and depth. As the Mets seek to rebound, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if New York can halt the slide and reassert itself atop the division or if Philadelphia’s momentum will carry them past their rivals in a critical stretch of the season.