The subway series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees is set to reach an exhilarating climax next week in the Bronx. The Mets, who delivered an emphatic two-game sweep at Citi Field last month, hope to continue their strong performance. Meanwhile, the Yankees are eager to return the favor on their home turf, making for an electrifying atmosphere.
Postseason Aspirations
Both teams are fiercely fighting for their postseason dreams. The Mets are in the thick of the battle, currently slogging for the third National League wild-card spot with a respectable 49-46 record. Since June 1, the Mets have been on a stellar run, boasting a 25-13 record. Clearly, they are peaking at just the right time.
On the other hand, the Yankees have also demonstrated strong form. With a 58-40 record, they are just one game shy of the AL East lead and possess the fourth-best record in all of baseball. This upcoming series could be a pivotal moment for both ball clubs as they strive to secure their places in the postseason contention.
Pitching Rotations Shaping Up
The Mets have announced that Jose Quintana and Sean Manaea will take the mound for the two Subway Series games. Missing from the lineup will be Mets pitcher Luis Severino, who won’t get the chance to face his former team in this series. Severino parted ways with the Yankees during the recent offseason and has had a solid year on the mound, racking up 109 2/3 innings with a 3.78 ERA.
Severino relayed a playful exchange with his former teammates, "We have a group chat, the guys who've been through the Yankees and stayed with the Yankees. They talk s--- about me, like, 'You're afraid of us'. I said, 'I'm not afraid of you guys. Right now you only have two good hitters.' I can walk those two guys. It's always friendly competition with players I've already played with." He added with a chuckle, "It's going to be fun, and hopefully in the future I can face them."
Offensive Powerhouses
At the plate, the Yankees are led by the imposing figures of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, who have posted impressive stats since June 22, hitting .291/.431/.575 with 11 home runs. However, the rest of the Yankees lineup has not quite kept pace, hitting a paltry .214/.283/.354 with 16 home runs across the same period. This disparity has placed additional pressure on Judge and Soto to consistently deliver key performances.
With Giancarlo Stanton sidelined since June 22 due to a hamstring injury, the Yankees' lineup has missed his firepower. Prior to his injury, Stanton had belted 18 home runs with a robust .795 OPS. The good news for Yankees fans is that Stanton has resumed full agility drills, signaling a potential return to the lineup soon.
The Stakes are High
The Yankees remain the highest-scoring team in baseball, averaging 4.98 runs per game as they entered the second half of the season. However, the upcoming Subway Series installment holds significant implications for both teams. Each game will carry substantial playoff ramifications and could very well shape the late-season standings and momentum of both franchises.
As the Mets and Yankees prepare to clash next week, the excitement in the air is palpable. Both teams have much to play for, and fans on both sides are ready for a thrilling showdown in the Bronx.