Mets Seek Revival in Anaheim After Franchise-Worst Start Since 1981

Key facts

• Mets are 10-21, their worst start since 1981 (8-22-1).
• April record was 7-19; team lost 12 straight games earlier this season.
• Christian Scott makes second start after walking five in 1.1 IP vs. Twins.
• Angels have lost six straight and ten of their last 11 games.
• Angels’ best pitcher José Soriano is missing from the series.
• Walbert Ureña (0-3, 4.76 ERA) starts for Los Angeles.

A Season on the Brink

The New York Mets arrive in Anaheim carrying a 10-21 record, their worst start to a season since 1981, when the club opened 8-22-1. The team finished April with a 7-19 mark, a month that included a 12-game losing streak and a 3-6 homestand that ended with a sweep by the Colorado Rockies. The Mets are now embarking on a nine-game west coast trip that will take them to Colorado and Arizona after this series. The weight of expectation makes this collapse particularly jarring. Unlike the expansion 1962 Mets, who were embraced as lovable losers, the 2026 edition was built to contend. The front office, in its first true vision, promised a playoff-caliber club, but the product on the field has been a collection of underperformers at nearly every position.

Rotation Woes and a Hopeful Return

The starting rotation has been a glaring weakness. While Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes have been effective, and Freddy Peralta has pitched to his career norms, the other two spots have been atrocious. Kodai Senga is on the Injured List, and David Peterson’s first start in weeks was dreadful. Christian Scott, who will start Friday’s series opener, offers a potential stabilizer. His first start of the season, however, was ugly: he faced ten batters, walked five, and allowed one earned run in just 1⅓ innings against the Twins. That outing was his first after Tommy John surgery on a major league mound, and in Triple-A this season he has shown strong strikeout numbers and a low walk rate, giving reason to believe he can settle in. The Angels will counter with 22-year-old rookie Walbert Ureña, who has made four appearances including two starts. Ureña is 0-3 with a 4.76 ERA over 11⅓ innings, striking out 13 but walking ten. In one outing against the Astros in late March, he gave up six unearned runs in a single inning. In his two subsequent starts, he has allowed six earned runs total, including a start against the Royals where he walked five and gave up six hits in 3⅔ innings.

Bullpen Instability and Offensive Drought

The bullpen has been a mess beyond Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazobán and Tobias Myers. Sean Manaea and Craig Kimbrel are shells of their former selves, while Luke Weaver and Devin Williams have looked shaky since arriving from the Yankees. Austin Warren has been very good in limited time, but the unit as a whole has been unreliable. In Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Nationals, Luke Weaver gave up a two-run eighth-inning home run to CJ Abrams that decided the game. The offense, meanwhile, has been the biggest issue. MJ Melendez hit a three-run home run and Mark Vientos added an RBI double in that game, but consistent production is lacking. Bo Bichette and Francisco Alvarez have not been driving the ball regularly, and Brett Baty and Mark Vientos need to produce on both sides of the ball. Without injured stars Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert and Jorge Polanco, the lineup is thin, and with everyone not named Juan Soto struggling, it is decimated.

Angels: A Vulnerable Opponent

The Angels are a bad ball club, losers of six straight and ten of their last 11. They continue to play in the shadow of the Dodgers, much as the Mets do relative to the Yankees. The Angels are also missing José Soriano, their best pitcher, which is a minor blessing for the Mets. For Mets fans, this series offers a chance to watch Mike Trout, one of the best players of his generation, whose talents have been wasted on a team that rarely commands the spotlight.

What Comes Next

The Mets hope that a change of scenery can help them turn the page in May. Friday’s game at Angel Stadium begins at 9:38 p.m. Eastern on PIX11. The series continues through the weekend before the Mets travel to Colorado and Arizona. With the rotation in flux and the offense struggling to score consistently, the margin for error is razor-thin. Christian Scott’s second start will be closely watched as an indicator of whether the Mets can stabilize one of their open rotation spots. If he can channel his Triple-A success, the Mets may have a chance to stop the slide. If not, the questions about this team’s direction will only grow louder.

The bottom line

• The Mets’ 10-21 start is their worst since 1981, far below preseason expectations.
• Christian Scott’s second start after Tommy John surgery is a key test for the rotation.
• The bullpen has been unreliable beyond three relievers, with several veterans struggling.
• The offense is thin without Lindor, Robert and Polanco, and most hitters are underperforming.
• The Angels are in a deep slump, missing their best pitcher, offering a potential opportunity.
• This nine-game road trip will define whether the Mets can salvage their season or sink further.