The Mets and Yankees end their Subway Series ahead of potential trades
This was supposed to be a transition season for the Mets and another World Series or bust year for the Yankees. It still is for the so-called Bronx Bombers, who have lived up to their moniker as one of the top power hitting clubs in baseball, driven by center fielder Aaron Judge, who as of yesterday led MLB with 35 home runs, and right fielder Juan Soto, who was sixth in the league with 25. Collectively, the Yankees were second overall with 147, ten behind the Baltimore Orioles (157), sitting in first place in the American League East division standings.
Before the Yankees hosted the Mets last night in the Bronx, they were 60-43, 1 1/2 games behind the Orioles after losing to the Mets 3-2 on Tuesday night, as Mets’ second baseman Jeff McNeil’s sixth inning, two-run home run was the difference breaking a 1-1 tie. The Yankees and Mets concluded their four-game season series last night, with the Mets sweeping the two games at Citi Field on June 25 and 26. Since June 2, when the Mets were 24-35, they have reversed course and were 52-48 prior to last night’s game and holding on to the third wildcard spot.
The expectations for the Mets were moderate entering the season for many close followers of the Mets after they went 75-87 a year ago. But as of today, Mets owner Steve Cohen has been prescient. “I mean, Arizona got in (to the playoffs) last year with 84 wins,” he said in March in an interview with the monthly magazine Vanity Fair.
“I think we’re going to surprise people this year. I think we’re better than people think.” Not only did the Arizona Diamondbacks reach the postseason, they won the National League pennant and advanced to the World Series, losing to the Texas Rangers. So while early last month it looked like the Mets would be sellers approaching the July 30 MLB trade deadline, they will now look to strengthen their bullpen.
Last year, they dealt starters Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander after accepting the playoffs were not attainable. Now they are possibly eyeing the Oakland A’s Lucas Erceg and the Miami Marlins’ Tanner Scott, two right handers, to solidify a relief corps that has been leaky all season. The Yankees also have a desire to improve their bullpen, add another starting pitcher, and bolster their flawed lineup around stars Judge and Soto.
It seems counterintuitive that a team tied for the third most wins in MLB at the start of the league’s schedule yesterday would have as many issues to address as they do. But they view their season only through the prism of winning a World Series. And anything short of meeting that goal would be a disappointment.
The Mets begin a seven-game homestand today playing four against the Atlanta Braves through Sunday then three versus the Minnesota Twins next Monday through Wednesday. The Yankees have six straight on the road, going to Boston to face the Red Sox for three games tomorrow through Sunday, and then three in Philadelphia Monday through Wednesday battling the Phillies, arguably the best team in MLB.
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