The New York Mets entered June as the best team in baseball, sitting atop the NL East with a five-and-a-half game cushion over the Philadelphia Phillies. By mid-September, however, their season has taken an unthinkable turn. From 45-24 on June 12, they have stumbled to 77-73, leaving fans to wonder how such a talent-laden roster could unravel so quickly.

President of baseball operations David Stearns admitted that the team’s current position wasn’t part of the plan. Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Padres, he acknowledged the disappointment while emphasizing urgency down the stretch. The Mets cling to a 1.5-game lead in the Wild Card race, with just 12 games left to secure their playoff spot.

For Carlos Mendoza, the heat has been unavoidable. The second-year manager

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