The 2026 season has been a miserable year for the New York Mets. Despite fielding the largest 40-man payroll and the second-highest luxury tax payroll, the club started 15-25. The slow start, coupled with their 2025 collapse, has put manager Carlos Mendoza on the hot seat.
However, the Mets bounced back for a big series sweep of the Detroit Tigers. It marked their first series sweep of the season and could provide the spark the club needs moving forward.
“There’s a lot to like,” said Carlos Mendoza following the game, as part of SNYtv’s postgame coverage of the club’s 9-4 win over the Tigers. “We won in a lot of different ways. We swung the bat well, we created traffic, we ran the bases well, we got timely hitting. The pitching was outstanding as well.
“Overall, in the whole series, I thought we played complete games.”
In the series, the Mets showed they could handle adversity and grind through it to win. They fell behind multiple runs early in all three games of the series.
“It felt like when we were going through that stretch, every time we got down a couple of runs, the game was over. That was the feeling. Now, we’re down three in the first inning, and you still feel good. It’s good to see the guys fight back.”
Mets Young Outfielders Bringing ‘Contagious’ Energy
The Mets have been crushed with injuries, especially in the outfield. They’re now relying on two rookies as everyday players, with Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing getting opportunities.
The duo starred in the club’s sweep of the Tigers. Benge went 7-for-15 in the series, with multiple hits in all three games. Ewing reached base six times and collected the first three hits of his career, including his first MLB home run, on a 110.5 MPH rope to right field that started the comeback in the series finale.
“Their own style of play is going to provide a lot of energy,” said Mendoza. “They’re going to get on base, they’re going to grind at-bats, they’re going to put the ball in play. They’re going to make pitchers work. Once they get on, they’re going to put pressure on the defense. They’re having fun, they’re playing, and that’s contagious.”
The two rookies combined for one of the biggest moments in the series and the season to date. In the series’ middle game, Benge grounded a single up the middle to score Ewing in a 3-2 walk-off win. That was the type of “contagious” energy Mendoza was alluding to in his comments.
Can the Mets Overcome Their Slow Start?
It’s important to note that the Tigers have been reeling, having lost eight of their last nine games since Tarik Skubal underwent an elbow procedure. But for the Mets, it was the right opponent for them to start their turnaround. They now sit at 18-25 following the sweep.
For the first time this season, the club has built momentum and shown what they’re capable of. However, the natural question for the team is, can they carry that into their next series?
They’ll take on their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, in the Subway Series as part of Rivalry Weekend. The Yankees are 26-17 and reeling from a series loss to the Baltimore Orioles. That should give the Mets a good test to see if they’re capable of turning their season around.
The Yankees announced their rotation for the weekend. The Mets will face Cam Schlittler, Carlos Rodon, and Ryan Weathers. Clay Holmes and Freddy Peralta are expected to pitch in the series.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Carlos Mendoza Reveals What Changed for Mets During Tigers Series appeared first on HEAVY.