Suddenly trustworthy Sean Manaea can’t save the NY Mets without help from these underperformers

Do we trust Sean Manaea yet? Only one start deep into his season, his last month (or 30 days) for the New York Mets has been really good. He’s 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 25.2 innings with 25 strikeouts and a .215 batting average against. The velocity is up. The innings are extended. The dark cloud hanging over the team early on opened up and has now turned into a fluffy one.

The need for a guy like Manaea to perform well shoudln’t be overlooked. Perhaps because he began the season in the bullpen, it’s easier to forget how crucial he was meant to be for the team’s success. He is the highest paid pitcher on the roster. It was past due he acted like it.

Suddenly worthy of at least a little bit of trust, he won’t save the Mets season unless he gets help from these teammates who’ve been losing our trust over the last 30 days.

Sean Manaea’s resurgence won’t matter if these Mets continue to struggle

1) Freddy Peralta

He might not be paid like an ace, but Freddy Peralta must pitch like one. He’ll get his opportunity to take the mound immediately after Peralta with a Sunday start to conclude the series versus the Atlanta Braves. His last 5 starts, which span a 30-day period, have resulted in a 1-2 record and 5.65 ERA. His last outing was one of his more frustrating with Peralta giving up 6 runs in as many innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.

2) Marcus Semien

The idea that Marcus Semien is having a better year than Brandon Nimmo is a day-to-day debate among Mets fans and maybe a few Texas Rangers ones as well. It’s more of a tie than anything. Nimmo has cooled off considerably while Semien hasn’t done all that much over the last 30 days either. A .204 batting average is all he has beena ble to muster up. While it did come with 5 home runs and 11 RBI, it’s far too little for a guy making $26 million a year. At the minimum, the Mets need Semien to pound lefty starters.

3) Nolan McLean

Nolan McLean has found a way to be even worse than Peralta over the 30-day period. A 6.38 ERA and enough free passes to put anyone out of business, McLean is another player we can’t watch struggle this season if the Mets are going to make a run. Christian Scott has now become the one fans are ready to build monuments for. McLean, with an ERA that crept over 4.00 after his last outing, needs a good talking to before it’s too late. One of the biggest tragedies of the 2026 Mets season will be if McLean reveals he isn’t the star in the making we had assumed he was.

4) Kodai Senga

We haven’t seen Kodai Senga pitch in a big league game in over 30 days. Currently rehabbing, he’s someone most fans would be willing to toss aside. You’re not alone in thinking he’s cooked. His next stint with the Mets could be the final opportunity to prove that he belongs. Senga doesn’t need to be a Cy Young candidate. All we want is a competent 5 innings every 6 days (we’ll give him the rest). We’re not asking for much.

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