Mets, Syracuse Both Struggling Amid Losing Streaks

The New York Mets have hit a season-high five-game losing streak, which includes being swept at home by the Tampa Bay Rays and suffering consecutive losses to the Atlanta Braves marked by blown leads and defensive errors. Notably, Chris Sale shut out the Mets in a 5-0 Braves win, and injuries have forced the Mets to rely on fill-in starters. The slump has put their lead in the NL East at risk, with the Phillies closing in. The Mets' offense has stagnated, and uncharacteristic defensive mistakes have compounded their woes. Meanwhile, their Triple-A affiliate Syracuse Mets are also struggling, having been swept by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and extending their losing streak. The simultaneous downturn at both the major and minor league levels signals a challenging period for the Mets organization.