Mets rely on Juan Soto's leadership and Luis Torrens' unexpected power to chase playoffs

Manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted outfielder Juan Soto’s behind‑the‑scenes leadership as the New York Mets aim to revive their playoff hopes. Soto is batting .293 with 13 homers, 29 RBIs and six stolen bases in his first 45 games of 2026, leading the team in both average and home runs among regular players. The Mets sit at 27‑35, 14.5 games out of the NL East lead and six games behind a wild‑card spot.

Catcher Luis Torrens has also emerged as a surprising offensive contributor from the low‑expectation ninth spot. Since May 23 he has posted a .310/.375/.517 slash line with a .892 OPS over 33 plate appearances, including a 107.3 mph home run that helped New York beat the Padres 5‑0. Torrens stepped into a larger role after Francisco Alvarez’s knee injury and recently received a two‑year, $11.5 million extension. Both Soto’s leadership and Torrens’s production are being counted on to stabilize the lineup as the Mets navigate injuries and a struggling season.