C-Mac: Mets loss no need for panic, but missing playoffs would be 'colossal failure'

The Mets looked flat in their series-opening loss to the Braves on Tuesday night, which brought back some haunting memories for some fans given how things have gone in Atlanta for seemingly decades, most recently in 2022.

But even after a shoddy start from Luis Severino, multiple miscues in the field, and a mainly quiet night for the bats, Chris McMonigle says this is still the same team that has battled back from adversity all year, and one loss to a chronic tormentor shouldn't erase that, regardless of New York's history against the Braves.

"This group is supposed to be different," C-Mac said. "They're resilient…but one loss and we're off! 'They're gonna do it again!'

"I understand how we want to focus on what this team has done about this Braves team in their history…but I don't think it changed the idea of what we believe this team to be. Every single time we felt like this team was on the precipice of folding…this team would step up and give you a big-time performance."

Admittedly, the game did feel like how the Mets typically perform in Atlanta when the stakes are high, but C-Mac says there are still two games left for New York to do what it's done all season, and battle back to take a big series, punch their postseason ticket, and finally conquer the Braves demons that have haunted them for nearly their entire existence.

If they don't, it would be a "disaster" and a "colossal failure."

"This game felt like that. The offense felt stagnant, there were a ton of bad at-bats," C-Mac said. "Severino wasn't awful…but the effort he had to put in in the first inning…he couldn't get guys out. But I don't believe there should be a panic with this team…this Met team consistently bounces back.

"It's one game. They have to bounce back like they've done every time."