Jeff McNeil goes quiet when Mets want him most

Jeff McNeil was misplaced for phrases following the Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday night time.

He sat immobile in entrance of his locker, nonetheless wearing his uniform, whereas the remainder of his teammates bought a head begin on packing for his or her sequence in Colorado.

His face revealed simply how draining the series-finale loss was, and the way irritating it was to go 0-for-11 over the previous three video games.

“Simply give attention to the following at-bat, all you are able to do,” McNeil informed The Submit.

It goes with out saying McNeil has been an integral a part of the Mets’ success this season. However his quiet bat by means of probably the most necessary sequence of the season confirmed simply how a lot his staff — which is preventing tooth and nail to climb from now 4 video games again of a wild-card spot — want his offensive contributions.

It was simply the second time this season McNeil, who went 0-for-Three Sunday, went three consecutive video games with no hit.

“[Pete Alonso and McNeil] have finished it for us all 12 months,” supervisor Mickey Callaway stated after the loss. “It’s form of like [Justin] Wilson and [Seth] Lugo, they’re going to have tough goes of it. It’s by no means their fault. It’s by no means anyone’s fault.

“It’s not disappointing. We want them to get going, similar to others.”

The 27-year-old’s aggressiveness on the plate all through the primary half of the season earned him an All-Star bid and a near-permanent residence within the Mets’ lineup because the leadoff hitter. And McNeil’s capability as a flexible choice at a number of positions has made him invaluable. He’s considered one of simply six gamers to start out not less than 10 video games at 4 totally different positions.

McNeil has made himself into one of many Mets’ most necessary bats. And their playoff hopes are dependent, partly, on his capability to shake off his present hitless streak.

“We win and lose as a staff,” Callaway stated. “After they’re carrying us, we win as a staff and after we’re attempting to hold them, once they’re struggling, we lose as a staff if that occurs.”