Juan Soto’s Struggles Against Cubs

On Saturday night, Juan Soto ended the Mets’ game against the Cubs with a disappointing 0-5 performance, contributing to a narrow 6-5 defeat.

His ground ball hits seem like a distant memory from earlier this season. This swing change has ignited recent streaks, although it didn’t manifest against Chicago. Coach Eric Chavez recognizes the significance of Soto making contact higher in the zone.

“Everyone has their quirks, and for him, it’s hitting the ball on the ground,” Chavez remarked pre-game. “That’s been the issue. It’s a balancing act between what’s working and what isn’t. He has a flat swing, and when he connects low, it often results in grounders – something he’s dealt with throughout his career. We even knew to expect that when playing against him.”

So what’s the solution? “Nothing,” Chavez replied. “Honestly, he looks more at ease. There’s no issue with his swing. You can see in his body language that he’s more comfortable, not just as a player, but as a person.”

There’s truly no fast track to adaption.

“Everyone must find their own way,” Chavez added. “People often say otherwise, but it’s not reality. He made a big decision coming from the Yankees. Sure, it’s only a 20-minute drive from The Bronx, but it’s a whole different environment. Naturally, it’s taken him time to adjust.”

Last season, after witnessing opponents steal bases with ease, the Mets brought in Lewis Torrence, who enhanced their defensive strategies. Despite these efforts, the Mets still rank fifth in the majors for stolen bases allowed.

So far this season, Mets’ catcher Francisco Alvarez has thwarted 14 potential base stealers, the most in the league, while also giving up the second-most stolen bases. Alvarez made an early error but came through later by assisting a play against Michael Bush.

In the third inning, Alvarez faced a challenge when he was hit by a 95 mph four-seamer thrown by Cade Horton, who was making his MLB debut. A trainer checked on Alvarez, but he remained in the game.

Nolan McLean’s Solid Debut

Nolan McLean, recognized as the organization’s second-best pitching prospect, made a remarkable debut at Triple-A Syracuse, throwing seven scoreless innings.

Progress for Ronnie Mauricio

Meanwhile, Ronnie Mauricio is making strides in his recovery from a torn ACL after previously struggling during the offseason. In a doubleheader match against Reading, he played at third base and achieved an RBI double in the first game.

Updates on Jose Ciri

Jose Ciri, recovering from a broken left tibia, is showing signs of improvement. According to Mendoza, Ciri has started running and hitting off tees, even managing a light sprint. However, there’s no timeline yet for his return to action.