Mets' hitting must improve if they hope for a third Subway Series installment in October

So another Subway Series is in the books and, based on the tension of the final inning Tuesday night, who could blame fans on both sides if they craved a third helping of Mets-Yankees in October?

If that happens, the Mets had better hope their offense is operating more efficiently than it did in the two losses at Yankee Stadium this week. The Mets managed just four runs in two games and failed multiple times with runners on base in losing, 4-2, on Tuesday night, wasting chance after chance in what was a winnable game.

Buck Showalter tipped his cap to the Yankee pitchers, noting, "That’s probably the story of tonight and last night."

Most likely, Showalter is right. Plus, perhaps his team was just pooped after a grueling stretch that saw them play 27 games in 26 days, many of those against fellow contenders. Of course, Showalter made it clear he doesn’t like that narrative, saying: "No one wants to hear about that. Everybody’s got a tale of woe with their schedule along the way."

But if this is the beginning of the offense devolving into an ongoing issue, that might change the perspective on the Mets and their October dreams. What if their elite starting pitching experiences some wobbles come playoff time? That would sock the lineup with onerous pressure.

While there’s been some outside hand-wringing about the Mets’ attack this season, it has been pretty consistent. The Mets entered Tuesday averaging 4.77 runs per game, fifth-best in the major leagues. They may not hit homers in bunches like the Yankees, but their put-the-ball-in-play mindset has generally worked and most Met at-bats are grind-it-out affairs.

They’ve also had a fine year hitting with runners in scoring position. They were batting .273 in such situations entering the finale with the Yankees, third in the majors. But they were just 2-for-13 (.154) in such situations on Tuesday. They left 10 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the ninth inning when they made a final, furious effort that failed when Francisco Lindor flew out against lefty Wandy Peralta with the potential go-ahead run on first.

Showalter noted that his players hit several balls hard that became outs and sometimes their ire was evident. Pete Alonso, who entered the game in a 6-for-44 slide, struck out leading off the fourth and then broke his bat over his knee.

"I really didn’t want to chase that pitch," Alonso told reporters afterward. "It looked too good to hold up. I was really frustrated at chasing that pitch for strike three, especially when we needed guys on base."

Even though the Mets had failed in big moments in the first, second and eighth innings, it was hard not to think they’d finally break through with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Remarkable comebacks are a major theme of their season and they had pulled one off on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Alas, it was not to be and Tuesday’s loss stung. At least the Mets could look forward to an off-day Wednesday after going a remarkable 18-9 over their grueling stretch. And their upcoming schedule profiles as less difficult as their recent slate, considering that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only winning team they’ll play over the next three-plus weeks.

Maybe a lighter load can help the Mets ensure their lineup is clicking once October arrives. They’ll need it if that third Mets-Yankees installment happens. After that high-wire finish Tuesday, it’s tempting to dream about that, no?