What happened: Columnist Joel Sherman flagged the New York Mets' poor performance across multiple areas, arguing the issues reach beyond the current campaign. The Mets enter Wednesday's home matchup against the Chicago Cubs at 34-44, a record that has fueled questions about the roster's direction.
Why it matters: A losing record at this stage tightens the margin for a contention push and raises longer-term roster and front-office questions. As Sherman has noted before, rotation depth and roster construction remain central to whether the Mets can stabilize. Persistent underperformance can shape offseason planning, not just the standings today.
By the numbers: New York sits 34-44 this season, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 4.5, and has dropped three straight (last five LLLWW). The Cubs come in 41-37, scoring 4.8 and allowing 4.5. Chicago took the series opener 9-6 on June 23 and has won the last four head-to-head meetings.
What to watch: Watch how the Mets respond at home against the Cubs and whether the front office signals any roster adjustments as the deficit grows.