Mets are trending — but in the wrong direction

Since the All-Star break, the New York Mets (63-55) have spiraled from division leaders into one of baseball’s most concerning collapses, going just 8-13 during that span. 

Their offense has nearly vanished, posting MLB-worst metrics, including a .561 OPS and a .189 team batting average. Stars like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso have all slumped, while the starting rotation and bullpen wilt under pressure.

With seven straight losses and now sitting six games back in the NL East, the Mets have turned from playoff upstarts into a team in full-blown crisis.  

As the old saying goes, it is getting late early for everyone in baseball making a final push toward the playoffs.

Starting Tuesday night against the division rival Atlanta Braves, the Mets have 44 games left, with 22 of them at home. In Flushing, the Mets need to hope this season doesn’t get flushed.

But don’t look at just the last 12 games or the 21 games since the All-Star break. Look at the totality of the season to determine where the Mets are. As famously said in "Shrek," peel back the layers of the onion.

With runners in scoring position (RISP), the Mets rank 28^th in baseball, hitting just .230. They have 11 one-run losses this season and have blown 30 saves, ranking them eigh^th in all of baseball. 

The Mets have struck out 949 times so far this season, but it's about when they strike out and where it happens in the game, which contributes to the spiral the Mets are currently in.

For example, the Detroit Tigers have struck out 1,059 times and also lead their division by 6.5 games.

The Mets have struck out 47 times over their last five games, averaging 9.4 strikeouts per game. 

On the plus side, Mets fans are still showing up. They currently rank four^th in all of baseball in home-field attendance (currently at 2.3 million fans).

So, if the fans are still showing up, how about the Mets give them a reason to show up? With 44 games to go, it's getting late early.