Kodai Senga collapses again, allows 7 runs in 3.1 innings, Mets suffer nine consecutive losses marking worst streak in 22 years

New York Mets' Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga continues to struggle, starting in today's away game against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched only 3.1 innings, allowing 6 hits and 7 runs (6 earned), suffering his second loss of the season. This also extended the team's embarrassing nine-game losing streak, setting the franchise's longest losing record in nearly 22 years.

Tasked with stopping the losing streak, Senga encountered turbulence right from the start. In the first inning, after one out, he first issued a walk, then allowed a hit resulting in runners on first and third. Although he successfully struck out Ian Happ, he was still hit by Seiya Suzuki with a timely right-field single, conceding a run. Immediately afterward, he was struck by Moises Ballesteros with a left-field three-run homer, losing four runs in the single inning.

In the second inning, teammates responded with three runs of support, but Senga failed to stabilize the situation. With one out and a runner on first, he was hit by Nico Hoerner with a left-field two-run homer, rapidly expanding the deficit to six runs. In the third inning, he managed to escape a crisis via a double play, but in the fourth inning, after one out, he allowed an infield hit by Dansby Swanson and then exited. The runner he left subsequently scored via an error, bringing Senga's tally of runs allowed to seven.

In this game, Senga threw 65 pitches, 37 of which were strikes, with a maximum speed reaching 157 km/h. He delivered 3 strikeouts and 3 walks, but also suffered 2 home runs, causing his ERA to surge sharply to 8.83. More worryingly, in his previous start against the Athletics, he also pitched less than 3 innings and allowed 7 runs, completely collapsing in consecutive games.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza stated after the game that Senga appears completely different from his early-season form. "His performance at the start of the season was actually quite good; after spring training, his first few games showed excellent content, but in the last two starts, we hardly see the aggressiveness he originally intended to show against batters." Regarding whether to adjust the starting rotation for the next game, Mendoza indicated that further discussion with General Manager David Stearns and the pitching coach staff is needed before making a decision.

With both team performance and individual performance declining, discussions about Kodai Senga's future direction have begun to surface. U.S. media reports indicate that the Cubs may have interest in Senga, even suggesting potential trade scenarios involving a one-for-two exchange with outfielder prospect Kane Kepley and young right-handed pitcher Jostin Florentino as assets.

Analysis in the reports suggests that the Mets might view Senga as a tradable asset, seeking to acquire future potential prospects while his market evaluation remains attractive, to avoid further performance decline affecting his value. However, this trade remains speculative, with no concrete progress yet.

If the trade materializes, Senga would have the opportunity to join the Cubs, forming a Japanese trio with Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, creating another Japanese force to rival the Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki.

For Senga, however, the immediate priority is to regain his pitching rhythm and escape the shadow of consecutive collapses. How to stabilize and rebound in his next start not only concerns his personal standing but will also directly impact the Mets' subsequent season trajectory.