Luke Weaver may not have been the solution the Mets needed to curb their disastrous Thursday, but he certainly could serve as an amateur therapist for his teammates facing tough challenges.
Weaver’s two-run homer in the eighth gave the Nationals the lead in a 5-4 loss at Citi Field. That changeup thrown to C.J. Abrams? Definitely poor timing, especially since the Mets have now lost 17 out of their last 20 games after being shut out four consecutive times.
“This chase for perfection creates this intense pressure which can lead to failure,” Weaver, who faced jeers from the crowd, stated. “It’s really concerning when people feel they need to be heroes just because they care and want to win. But I don’t believe success grows in that space. The freedom we play with can feel quite stifling sometimes.”
Weaver noted that not all blown saves feel the same, admitting that the disappointment was amplified due to the Mets’ current slump (10-21 record, the worst in MLB).
“I definitely feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, thinking I’ve let the team down,” he shared. “Yet, I believe I’m in a good place. We keep telling you all, ‘One day it will come, the game will balance out,’ but after continual letdowns, those words start to lose their meaning.”
Mark Vientos contributed with an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Mets a golden opportunity to utilize their top three relievers for a potential series win.
“You typically don’t see an entire group underperforming at once,” Weaver remarked. “It feels like there’s an unintentional culture that has formed around this. That’s how victories and defeats unfold.”
He added, “Sleep can be elusive, and thoughts can spiral, leading to unnecessary attachments. Maybe the answers lie in these simple observations. Perhaps simplifying the process is key. Or it could be about rediscovering the joy in why we play in the first place, connecting with that inner child.”
