The New York Mets’ expectations for their revamped pitching rotation have not unfolded as smoothly as anticipated, and manager Carlos Mendoza is now addressing the uneven performances coming from his top starters.
Following a disappointing 7-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field, attention turned to right-hander Freddy Peralta, who endured one of his roughest outings of the season. The two-time All-Star allowed six runs on six hits while issuing two walks over six innings, struggling to contain a Cardinals lineup that capitalized on nearly every mistake.
Peralta’s performance ultimately set the tone for the defeat, as the Mets’ offense failed to recover from the early deficit. The loss dropped the club further into an inconsistent stretch that has defined much of their season so far.
Through 14 starts in his first year with New York, Peralta now holds a 4-5 record with a 4.04 ERA. While those numbers are not disastrous, they fall short of the level expected from a pitcher brought in to anchor the rotation alongside emerging arms like rookie Nolan McLean.
After the game, Mendoza gave an honest and measured assessment of Peralta’s overall contributions since joining the team. Speaking to reporters, the Mets manager acknowledged both the positives and inconsistencies in the right-hander’s performances.
“He’s been good for the most part,” Mendoza explained. “When you look at his numbers, there have been outings where it’s a grind for five innings but he gives us a chance to win a baseball game. There have been a few where he’s been really solid.
“But then there are also games like tonight, and one in Miami as well, where even though he gave us length, the damage was done. Still, for the most part, he keeps us in position to compete.”
Mendoza’s comments reflect a balanced view of a pitcher who has shown flashes of effectiveness but has yet to deliver consistent dominance since arriving in Queens. The Mets were counting on Peralta to elevate their rotation after a busy offseason that saw significant roster turnover, including departures of key contributors such as Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Díaz.
While the pitching staff has remained statistically competitive ranking among the top 10 in team ERA entering the series the inconsistency from key starters has prevented New York from gaining momentum.
Peralta, who previously enjoyed his best MLB season before joining the Mets and is currently in a contract year, entered the campaign with high expectations. The organization envisioned him as a co-ace capable of stabilizing the rotation and leading a playoff push.
Instead, his performances have been uneven, alternating between strong outings and games where control and command issues have led to early trouble. Despite this, he has still managed to provide length in most starts, something Mendoza values as the team continues to search for stability.
With the Mets sitting at 29-37 and trailing much of the National League, the margin for error continues to shrink. New York remains near the bottom of the standings outside of a few struggling clubs, making every rotation turn increasingly important.
Peralta’s next outing will be closely watched, as both the Mets and the pitcher himself look to regain consistency and build toward a stronger second half of the season.
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