Title: Mets Hope to Turn a Corner Amid Early RISP Woes
The 2025 season for the New York Mets has been a mix of promise and frustration, with one key challenge continuing to haunt them: their struggles with runners in scoring position (RISP). As the season progresses, the Mets believe they are turning a corner, slowly overcoming the issues that have plagued them in the early months. Yet, the question remains: will their offensive struggles with RISP define their season, or will they find a way to break through and finally reach their potential?
The RISP Problem: A Persistent Issue
The Mets have long been known for their potent lineup, filled with capable hitters from top to bottom. However, despite their talent, the team has repeatedly failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities with runners in scoring position. In the first month of the 2025 season, the Mets were mired in a slump that saw them ranked among the worst teams in Major League Baseball in RISP statistics. This trend has been especially frustrating given the team’s strong on-base percentage and ability to generate traffic on the basepaths.
To fully appreciate the depth of the problem, we need to look at the numbers. Through the first few weeks of the season, the Mets were hitting just .212 with RISP, placing them near the bottom of the league in this critical category. This isn’t a minor issue—it’s a sign that, while they can get men on base, they are failing to convert those opportunities into runs.
The lack of clutch hitting has been glaring in high-leverage situations. Whether it’s the middle of a tight game, a late-inning scenario, or simply needing to drive in a runner from third with less than two outs, the Mets have consistently come up short. The team’s inability to capitalize on scoring chances has left them frustrated, with many of their losses stemming from missed opportunities to score in key moments.
The Impact on the Team’s Confidence
What makes RISP struggles even more damaging is the psychological impact it can have on a team. Baseball, especially at the major league level, is a game of momentum. A clutch hit can energize a clubhouse, elevate a pitcher’s confidence, and swing a game in a team’s favor. Conversely, failing to get the big hit—time and again—can create a sense of frustration and self-doubt.
For the Mets, the mental toll of their RISP woes has been noticeable. The team has seen key players like Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor—two of their biggest stars—struggle to get timely hits. Although they have still produced on the whole, their inability to deliver in high-leverage situations has been a key factor in many of the Mets’ early-season losses.
“It’s been a frustrating start,” said Alonso after a recent loss. “We know we can do better, and we believe in ourselves, but it’s just not happening at the moment. We’re working through it, though. We know this is part of baseball.”
Turning the Corner: A Change in Approach?
Despite the early struggles, the Mets are optimistic that they are on the verge of turning things around. The team’s management, coaching staff, and players all seem to recognize that while they can’t ignore their RISP issues, they also know they must adjust in order to break out of the slump.
One adjustment has been a shift in approach at the plate. Mets hitting coach Eric Chavez has emphasized a more patient approach to plate discipline, focusing on making pitchers work harder to throw strikes when there are runners on base. With this mentality, the hope is that the team will get more favorable counts and find better pitches to drive, resulting in more productive at-bats with runners in scoring position.
“We’ve been preaching quality over quantity,” Chavez explained in a recent interview. “Sometimes when you’re struggling, you tend to over-swing, try to do too much. But the best hitters stay within themselves and take what the pitcher gives them.”
In practice, this means being more selective with pitches early in the count and not trying to force the big hit. This can be a tough mindset for hitters who are used to driving in runs or getting big swings with RISP, but Chavez and manager Buck Showalter believe it’s a crucial part of the process.
Additionally, there’s a focus on situational hitting. Hitting with RISP isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about reading the situation, knowing what kind of pitches to expect, and executing when it matters most. Showalter has emphasized the importance of teamwork in these situations, with players working together to approach at-bats with an understanding of how they can move runners over or bring them home.
“We have to play for the team, not just for ourselves,” Showalter said after a recent team meeting. “It’s not about individual numbers. It’s about finding a way to score when it matters.”
A Team-Building Opportunity
While the Mets’ RISP struggles have been a significant hurdle, they also present an opportunity for growth and cohesion. In a long season, overcoming adversity together can bond a team, and the Mets believe that if they can solve their issues with scoring in key moments, they’ll come out stronger on the other side.
In recent games, signs of progress have emerged. Players like Jeff McNeil, who has always been a solid contact hitter, have shown better situational awareness, getting on base and setting the table for the sluggers behind him. Similarly, Lindor has started to come alive in key spots, getting big hits in late innings. Even Alonso, who had been one of the team’s most consistent hitters, has started to find his groove with runners on base.
The Mets’ pitching staff has also played a critical role in keeping them competitive despite the offensive woes. Starting pitchers like Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have delivered quality outings, allowing the team to stay within striking distance even when the offense hasn’t produced. This complementary strength—the ability to pitch well even in tight games—has kept the Mets competitive, but they know they will need to generate more runs to make a serious postseason push.
Looking Ahead: Optimism for the Future
The Mets are still in the early stages of the 2025 season, and while their struggles with RISP have been well-documented, there’s hope on the horizon. The team has shown glimpses of potential, and with the right adjustments, they could begin to see a steady improvement in clutch situations. If they can start converting more opportunities with runners on, the Mets’ offense could quickly turn from a liability into a strength.
“It’s just a matter of time,” said Lindor, reflecting on the team’s overall progress. “We have the talent, we have the guys. We just need to stay focused, stay confident, and it will turn. We know we’re close.”
The Mets believe they are on the verge of breaking out of their early-season struggles, and the team’s commitment to improving their performance with RISP is a crucial part of their strategy moving forward. With a combination of patience, better situational awareness, and perhaps a bit of luck, the Mets hope to turn the corner and become a team that can consistently capitalize on scoring opportunities—and ultimately, challenge for a postseason spot.
In the end, if the Mets can find the right approach, their early RISP woes could be a thing of the past, paving the way for a successful and memorable 2025 season.
