The Mets aren’t just playing for pride in these final weeks. They’ve won at a rate that shocks the league, posting a 22-14 record since the trade deadline. That number ranks as the third-best winning percentage in all of baseball over that span, according to the New York Daily News. It’s a strange sight to see a squad out of playoff contention climbing the standings so high, especially when most teams would coast if the playoffs were out of reach. The Mets have done the opposite. Their priority is developing their young core right now, adopting a strategy focused on preparing for an improved 2027 campaign (a long-term view that changes how every game is played). This approach isn’t about a quick fix for this year; it’s about proving the future is bright.
The Shift to Youth
That future showed up in a big way during the Subway Series. As reported by the New York Post, the Mets secured a dominant 12-2 victory over the Yankees in Saturday’s matchup. A sellout crowd of 46,864 watched the game at Yankee Stadium. On Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, shortstop Francisco Lindor crushed a grand slam in the eighth inning versus the New York Yankees, a swing that told the story of a team refusing to quit. How often do you see a rebuilding club put that kind of pressure on a division rival with a roster full of developing talent?
Pitching Battles and Big Hits
The pitching staff has also stepped up to meet this new standard. On Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees secured a 2-0 victory as two elite young pitchers dueled, according to the New York Daily News. Over six innings, right-hander Cam Schlittler allowed just one hit and two walks while recording eight strikeouts against the Mets. Conversely, right-hander Christian Scott struck out seven batters, allowing two walks and three hits across six innings against the Yankees. Scott showed improvement despite his season-long difficulty reaching deep into games, a development the New York Daily News highlighted as a key takeaway. The Yankees offense supported these efforts with timely power, as Austin Wells and Ben Rice both hit home runs to right field, occurring in the third and first innings respectively. Rice’s first-inning leadoff blast was a classic Yankee Stadium home run that just cleared the short porch, and these are the kinds of wins that build confidence for the long haul.
The numbers prove that the plan is working even if the standings don’t show it yet. A team that can beat crosstown rivals by a dozen runs while developing talent is rare. The focus remains on the young core and the path to 2027. Every win in these final weeks adds a brick to that foundation. The fans in Queens should feel good about the direction, especially with a roster that’s already showing it can compete with the best arms in the league.
