The New York Mets are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention after Monday’s tough loss to the Orioles, and wow, that’s gotta sting for a squad that started the year with real playoff expectations. Remember MLB Opening Day when they totally beat up on 2025 NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes? That filled fans with so much hope and excitement. Now, it’s September 2026, and they’re just playing out the rest of their schedule.
Pete Alonso’s Surreal Return and the Sweep That Didn’t Help
Seriously, the drama at Citi Field has been something else this week. Franchise Home Run Leader Pete Alonso, back in town after bailing for Baltimore in the offseason, got a hero’s welcome like you wouldn’t believe. I’m talking a full-on, resounding applause that even stunned some folks, including the Mets players themselves! Can you believe it? Fans were cheering him early and often as he chased 300 home runs. He even blasted his 300th career homer to tie a game in the top of the ninth off Kodai Senga on Tuesday, resulting in a standing ovation and a curtain call. Pure madness. And get this: through all that Alonso adoration, the Mets got absolutely swept in that series, losing 2-1 on Monday, 7-5 in 11 innings on Tuesday, and 7-1 on Wednesday. All that celebrating for Alonso, and they just helped their tankathon odds. Yikes.
Celebrating Legends as the Home Slate Ends
Now, the Mets (69-83) are closing out their 2026 home schedule with a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (84-68). The Phillies lead the season series 5-4, and they’ve already taken two of the three games played at Citi Field so far. It’s a club mathematically eliminated, just playing out the string. But it’s not all doom and gloom, because they’re going to celebrate some actual Mets icons this weekend. On Saturday, September 19, they’re recognizing Carlos Beltran, who recently got inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. They’re retiring his number and putting him in the Mets’ HOF. Then, on Sunday, September 20, the team will appreciate long-time radio voice Howie Rose, who is retiring at the end of the season, with a special pregame ceremony. That Sunday game also represents the final Mets’ home game of the year. The hope is that the Flushing Faithful will still turn out, despite the bad record and no playoffs in sight, to honor these legends.
So, yeah, the Mets’ 2026 season isn’t ending how anyone imagined after that Opening Day hype. But this final home weekend is all about history and legacy, not the standings. They’ll face the Phillies on Sunday for their last home game of the year. It’s a chance for fans to show up for guys who truly were and are Mets, despite the gut-punch of being eliminated so early. You gotta respect that dedication and loyalty, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Amazin’ Avenue.
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