Mets’ Struggles Continue as Kodai Senga Battles Control Issues in Ninth Straight Loss

The New York Mets endured another difficult night on Friday, falling 12-4 to the Chicago Cubs to extend their losing streak to nine consecutive games. The result underscored a prolonged slide in which little has gone right for the club on either side of the ball.

Starter Kodai Senga struggled early, allowing six earned runs on seven hits over 3.1 innings, as Chicago’s lineup capitalized on missed locations and extended at-bats. His outing reflected broader issues that have plagued both his season and the Mets’ rotation.

Despite the rough performance, Senga expressed measured optimism afterward, suggesting that the problems stem more from execution than fundamental flaws. His comments reflected a pitcher still searching for rhythm amid a challenging stretch.

New York now faces increasing urgency to stabilize its pitching staff and halt its losing streak as the season continues to slip.

1. Early Command Issues Set the Tone

Senga’s outing unraveled quickly as he struggled to establish early-count strikes, allowing Chicago hitters to dictate at-bats. Falling behind in counts repeatedly forced him into predictable pitch sequences. Once hitters gained an advantage, the Cubs were able to generate consistent contact and push runs across in the opening innings. Senga was unable to recover momentum before exiting the game in the fourth inning. The lack of command was a recurring theme, with Senga frequently missing his intended locations both inside and outside the strike zone. That made it difficult for him to generate swings and misses. By the time he exited, Chicago had already built a commanding lead that the Mets were unable to overcome.

2. Senga Remains Confident Despite Struggles

After the game, Senga pointed to execution issues rather than mechanical breakdowns as the primary concern. Speaking through an interpreter, he emphasized missed locations and ineffective pitch deception. “Not getting ahead, not getting first pitch strikes, getting to hitter’s counts. Obviously not a good sign,” Senga said via SNY. “At the same time, I’m not all that far off either.” He added that his pitches were not reaching the desired areas near the plate, which reduced their effectiveness against opposing hitters. Senga suggested that small adjustments could significantly change outcomes. While the results have been poor, his comments reflected belief that improvements are within reach rather than long-term regression.

3. Season Trends and Team Uncertainty

Senga’s struggles have been a sharp contrast to his earlier career performance. He now holds an 8.83 ERA across four starts this season, allowing 17 earned runs in just 17.1 innings. That marks a significant departure from his recent track record, including a 3.02 ERA in 2025 and a 2.98 ERA in 2023. Those numbers had established him as a reliable presence in the rotation when healthy and effective. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza addressed Senga’s rotation status following the loss, indicating that the pitcher remains scheduled for his next turn, though the team could reassess during an upcoming off day. “We just finished a game here. As of right now, he’s in line,” Mendoza said, leaving the door open for adjustments depending on roster evaluation.