Mets fans watched Washington expose a string of vulnerabilities in a brutal two-game stretch, as the offense remained stymied and the pitching unravelled at key moments. Kodi Senga labored into trouble early, the bullpen surrendered the late lead, and Carlos Mendoza’s pinch-hit chess moves drew sharp scrutiny as Ronnie Mauricio remained stashed behind a thin bench. Francisco Alvarez’ injury status loomed large, depriving the lineup of a spark, while Lindor and Marte finally offered a glimpse of life with a pair of homer blasts.

On balance, the series reinforced the fantasy implications: avoid overreliance on a struggling offense, monitor Alvarez’s health, and weigh the upside of Mauricio as a right-handed spark when matchups improve. The Braves series ahead looms as a major test for a club that has to prove it can string together timely hits and bullpen consistency to keep playoff hopes flickering.