Hitting coach has 'pretty simple' explanation for Mets' offensive woes amid losing streak

The New York Mets' ongoing losing streak reached eight games with their 8-2 defeat at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday night.

After the game, both Mets third baseman Bo Bichette and starting pitcher Clay Holmes admitted that those in the clubhouse have no clear "answer" for how to stop the bleeding now that what was once a 7-4 team is 7-12.

Troy Snitker joined the Mets as their new hitting coach this past fall. While speaking with Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media, Snitker suggested that fixing what's ailing the Mets offense this spring could be a "pretty simple" process. 

What the Mets need to do to end their offensive slump

"We need to execute better in the game," Snitker explained. "We need to drive the ball more. We need to swing at pitches that we can do something with. It’s just kind of a combination of those two things." 

With star outfielder Juan Soto sidelined due to the right calf strain he suffered on April 3, the new-look Mets lineup produced just 12 total runs over their past eight games. According to ESPN stats, the Mets began Thursday ranked 25th in MLB with a .220 team batting average and 26th with 65 runs scored for the season. Meanwhile, Soto will miss at least three more games before he returns to action. 

"We need to be committed to what we’re doing," Snitker continued. "We need to be committed to what we want to swing at, what we’re looking for, and just stick with that the whole time, regardless of the situation." 

Mets may need this player to lead them out of the darkness until Juan Soto returns

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor missed time during spring training due to a stress reaction to his left hamate bone. He ended Wednesday batting just .184 on the season, and he hadn't hit a home run or delivered an RBI until he launched a solo homer on Tuesday night. 

"Once one guy gets hot, everybody else feeds off it," Snitker added. "I think we just gotta grind it out until that happens. The guys are getting after it. We’ve got guys having better at-bats. We just need to do more in the game."

The Soto-less Mets will look to "do more" offensively when they begin a three-game series at the Chicago Cubs (9-9) on Friday afternoon.