The New York Mets' nightmare start to the season plunged to new depths following a crushing 12-4 defeat to the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon. This latest stumble extends the New York Mets losing streak to nine consecutive games, matching their longest skid since 2004. With a record-breaking payroll and sky-high championship expectations, the atmosphere in Queens has rapidly shifted from springtime optimism to outright panic. Fans are frantically checking the MLB scores today hoping for a silver lining, but finding only more frustration as the team continues to spiral.
Mets vs Cubs Highlights: A Disastrous Afternoon at Wrigley
If you review the latest Mets vs Cubs highlights, the damage done to New York's pitching staff was swift, merciless, and completely reflective of their ongoing slump. Chicago exploded for four runs in the first inning alone, highlighted by a towering three-run homer from Moisés Ballesteros. The Mets did show a brief sign of life in the top of the second inning when Marcus Semien ripped an RBI double, followed by a two-run single from Tyrone Taylor off the center-field wall to cut the deficit to 4-3.
However, the momentum was painfully short-lived. The Cubs eventually poured on 12 runs, capitalizing on both porous Mets pitching and uncharacteristically sloppy infield defense. Brett Baty’s costly defensive miscues at first base only compounded the misery, bringing in unearned runs and extending Chicago's offensive rallies. By the eighth inning, Ian Happ put the finishing touches on the blowout with a massive 411-foot two-run home run. Throughout this brutal New York Mets losing streak, the team has now been outscored by a staggering 56-16 margin. Meanwhile, a peek at the MLB scores today confirms that Cubs starter Edward Cabrera cruised through six innings to earn his second win of the year.
Kodai Senga vs Cubs: Ace Continues Early Season Struggles
At the center of Friday's collapse was starting pitcher Kodai Senga, who looked completely out of rhythm from his very first pitch. The highly anticipated Kodai Senga vs Cubs matchup quickly unraveled into a disaster for New York. Senga lasted just 3.1 innings, surrendering seven runs (six earned) on six hits and three walks. This disastrous outing comes directly on the heels of a 2.1-inning shellacking he took against the Athletics last week.
Senga’s season ERA has now skyrocketed to a highly concerning 8.83. After serving up Nico Hoerner's two-run blast in the second inning, the Japanese right-hander failed to recapture his trademark command. The severe dip in his performance is putting incredible stress on a heavily taxed Mets bullpen. For a team fundamentally built around elite starting pitching, Senga's early-season struggles are a glaring catalyst for the ongoing New York Mets losing streak.
Francisco Lindor 2026 Stats and the Persistent Offensive Woes
While the pitching has faltered, New York's high-priced offense has remained largely lifeless. A closer examination of the Francisco Lindor 2026 stats reveals that the star shortstop's slow start perfectly mirrors the team's overall malaise. Lindor has struggled to find consistency at the plate in the early going, battling a batting average hovering around .167 through his first several weeks of the season.
While Lindor and the rest of the lineup managed to record 14 hits on Friday, the lack of timely hitting remains devastating. The Mets recorded the eight hardest-hit balls of the game, yet continually failed to produce with runners in scoring position, finishing a dismal 4-for-11 in those crucial situations. When your premier switch-hitter is struggling to set the table or drive in runs consistently, it forces the rest of the lineup to press. Until Lindor breaks out of his extended funk, New York's offense will likely remain stagnant.
Steve Cohen Mets News: Ownership Preaches Patience
With manager Carlos Mendoza's seat getting undeniably warmer, the latest Steve Cohen Mets news suggests that the billionaire owner is not quite ready to authorize wholesale changes just yet. Cohen has publicly urged patience, reportedly believing that the talented clubhouse can right the ship once they navigate this grueling stretch and get key players back from the injured list. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns echoed this sentiment prior to the game, offering a vote of confidence to Mendoza and noting that the roster simply needs to execute better on the field.
However, as the losses mount at an alarming pace, the MLB rumors today are swirling with heavy speculation about impending roster shake-ups. The reality is that an organization operating with one of baseball's highest payrolls cannot sustain a 107-loss pace for long without severe consequences. If the Mets cannot break this 22-year-worst slide during their upcoming homestand, the calls for accountability will become deafening. Patience in baseball is a finite resource, and fueling the MLB rumors today is the reality that Steve Cohen’s patience might evaporate entirely if the product on the field doesn't drastically improve in the coming days.
