Just how bad are things going for the 2026 New York Mets?Look no further than the first batter they faced against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, where a routine base hit turned into a Little League home run.And Juan Soto, the team’s $765 million man, was at the center of the brutal mishap.The Mets came into this game 35-49, which has been one of the most shocking pre-All-Star-break stories of the season given their spot as the second-highest payroll in MLB this season, only behind the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMJuan Soto of the New York Mets walks back to the dugout after striking out in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 16, 2026.
(Dylan Buell/Getty Images)Starting a six-game road trip on Monday night in Toronto, the Mets were hoping to get something going in their favor just days after manager Carlos Mendoza was fired.But the game couldn’t have started off worse for New York, and it ultimately hurt them in a 2-1 loss.George Springer stepped into the batter’s box against Mets starter Sean Manaea when he served a 2-2 pitch to left field – a routine single is all it should’ve been.WHY ARE THE METS SO BAD? OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES AND A DISJOINTED CLUBHOUSE LEAD TO WORST RECORD IN MLBHowever, Soto misread the ball bouncing off the turf completely, choosing to have an aggressive route toward the ball and potentially catch it on the short hop.
Instead, the ball went right underneath his glove and started to roll all the way to the left field fence.Soto was jogging to the ball, while the veteran Springer was booking it around the basepaths.Soto’s decision not to sprint himself was because rookie center fielder A.J.
Ewing was in pursuit already.But things only got worse from there.Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer celebrates with outfielder Nathan Lukes after scoring during the first inning again...