Two MLB Teams Struggling Early in 2026 Season

The Yankees and Mets have both stumbled out of the gate, raising concerns about their playoff hopes.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:25pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp planes of navy blue, red, and gold overlapping to create a sense of motion and energy, representing the challenges facing the New York teams.A cubist interpretation of the struggles facing the Yankees and Mets in the early 2026 MLB season.NYC Today

The 2026 MLB season is underway, and two high-profile teams - the New York Yankees and New York Mets - have gotten off to concerning starts. The Yankees' offense has sputtered, with the team batting just .202 and scoring only 65 runs through their first 13 games. Meanwhile, the Mets have dealt with injuries to key players like Juan Soto and are in last place in the NL East with a 7-9 record.

Why it matters

Both the Yankees and Mets were expected to be playoff contenders this season, so their early struggles have raised alarms. The Yankees' lack of offseason moves to bolster their lineup could come back to haunt them, while the Mets' inability to overcome injuries and find consistent production has put them in an early hole in a competitive NL East division.

The details

The Yankees have lost five straight games after an 8-2 start, and their team-wide offensive woes have them tied atop the AL East with the Orioles and Rays. The Mets, meanwhile, have dealt with the loss of slugger Pete Alonso and an injury to outfielder Juan Soto, leading to a .236 team batting average and just 62 runs scored - the second-fewest in the National League.

  • The 2026 MLB season is now in full swing.
  • The Yankees started the season 8-2 but have since lost 5 straight games.
  • The Mets currently sit in last place in the NL East with a 7-9 record.

The players

Aaron Judge

The Yankees' star designated hitter, who has struggled along with the rest of the team's offense.

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' All-Star shortstop, who has made uncharacteristic mistakes early this season.

Juan Soto

The Mets' star outfielder, who is currently sidelined with a calf strain.

Pete Alonso

The Mets' slugging first baseman, whose absence has hurt the team's offense.

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What’s next

If the Yankees and Mets continue to struggle, they may need to make trades or roster moves at the upcoming MLB trade deadline to address their issues and try to get back into playoff contention.

The takeaway

The slow starts by the Yankees and Mets have raised concerns about their ability to be playoff contenders this season, with both teams needing to make adjustments to their rosters and lineups in order to turn things around and get back on track.