After Mendoza and Stearns, Francisco Lindor talks Bottom of Lineup as He Explains Why Braves Have Been Better

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June came with a surprise, and for the New York Mets—a slump. Nine losses in their past ten games dropped them from division leader to second. And their latest loss against the Braves has put all their problems out in the open. The concern that began with Mendoza, then Stearns, now includes the candid opinion of Francisco Lindor.

“We’re relying pretty much on the top four or five guys.” That’s what Carlos Mendoza said after the game. And it’s true! Since June 11, the Mets’ hitters from the fifth to the ninth spots have been the worst in MLB. They have a .183 average and a .534 OPS, which is even worse than the bottom five hitters on the Braves. That’s a problem, not in the center, but right at the spine of the roster.

It wasn’t only management that said something was wrong. Lindor said it clearly, “The bottom of the lineup today did a fantastic job of working together to get some runs… It came down to me, and I didn’t execute. That’s bottom line.” That moment changed everything—Lindor didn’t deny it; he took responsibility: “I just got to be better.”

“The bottom of the lineup today did a fantastic job of working together to get some runs. It came down to me and I didn’t execute. That’s bottom-line. I just got to be better.”

– Francisco Lindor pic.twitter.com/91F9CbUYbC

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 25, 2025

He didn’t think the bottom of the lineup was dragging the team down. Lindor thought he missed the play, the pitch, and the chance. And by owning that, he established the tone that the Mets really needed.

When Lindor was asked why the Braves had dominated the Mets this season, he didn’t hold back: “They outplayed us.” He said, pointing out how Atlanta excelled in everything: defense, baserunning, and hitting. He continued to emphasize this: “They’ve done everything better than us.” The 7-4 loss, which included issuing nine walks and giving up a 3-0 lead, was precisely what Lindor meant. It’s not just the bottom of the order that is having trouble. The pitching? It’s not looking good either.

With a 6.06 ERA over their last ten games, the Mets’ pitching staff has also struggled. Both starters and relievers have failed to hold leads, and key pitchers have blown several save chances. This shows that the problems aren’t just with the hitting—the whole team is falling apart.

Mets president David Stearns, as well, didn’t mince words when he was asked about team performance. But at least he considers this learning experience, “We’re learning about our team.” Amid all this, one thing is clear: the Mets aren’t ready to give up, and together they know they can win the games.

Unity over adversity: Francisco Lindor’s plan to reignite Mets’ season

Francisco Lindor is sending out positive vibes. And he has a plan: “Fight for each other.” His words were a call to action, setting the tone that his teammate emphasized. Luis Torrens, the catcher, expressed this through an interpreter: “I think it’s important to remain positive, to remain united.” Their unity is already in motion.

Even Mendoza echoed the same sentiment. He said, “I’m pretty confident in those guys.” David Stearns also understands that ups and downs are part of the game. As he mentioned, “We saw a lot of really good things through the first two-plus months of the season, and now we’re seeing the flipside of that.”

Well, it’s not all negatives; there were positives, too. On June 24, Juan Soto hit a home run. Frankie Montas, whom the Mets signed in the winter, had a great game. He pitched five scoreless innings, struck out five batters, and only gave up three hits. The fact that he used a lot of sinkers was also a good thing for the Queens’ rotation.

If Francisco Lindor’s call for unity works, these short bursts of hope could grow into long-term recoveries.

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