With a commanding 12-3 victory in the Bronx on Wednesday night, the New York Mets completed their first Subway Series sweep of the New York Yankees since 2013. The Mets solidified their sweep by capturing both of their home games against the Yankees on June 25 and 26, and followed that up with a narrow 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday.
Mets’ Dominance
This series was a testament to the Mets' newfound strength, as they outscored the Yankees by a significant margin, 36-14, across the four games. Historically, this interleague rivalry has been challenging for the Mets. Out of 28 Subway Series encounters, the Mets have now won only five, whereas the Yankees have triumphed in ten, with thirteen series ending in a split.
Wednesday's game was one for the books, with the Mets hitting five home runs, three of which came off Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, marking an uncharacteristic struggle for the star pitcher. Francisco Lindor spearheaded this effort with two home runs, bringing his season tally to 21. The offensive onslaught didn't stop there; Juan Soto also contributed significantly for the Mets, going 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, and a walk.
Cole's Struggles Persist
For the Yankees, Gerrit Cole’s struggles have been a major storyline this season. Currently holding a 5.40 ERA, Cole's performance has been adversely affected by a spring elbow injury that delayed his season debut until June 19. The right-hander's ongoing battles on the mound have contributed to the Yankees' difficulties in July, where they posted a 6-12 record.
A Resurgent Mets Team
The Mets' journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Entering June, the team found itself 11 games under .500, sitting at a disappointing 23-34. However, since June 2, the Mets have turned their season around, amassing an impressive 29-13 record. This recent surge has now placed them five games over .500 at 53-48, marking the first time this year they've reached this milestone.
This resurgence has significant playoff implications. The Mets currently occupy the second wild-card spot in the National League and trail the second-place Braves in the NL East by merely 1½ games. This achievement highlights a sharp contrast to their position earlier in the season and exemplifies their resilience and determination to compete.
Yankees' Playoff Hopes Remain
Despite the rough stretch, the Yankees are not out of the playoff race yet. They remain within striking distance of the AL East-leading Orioles, holding onto hopes that a turnaround is on the horizon. Juan Soto's performance in Wednesday's game, where he went 2-for-3 with a homer and a double, provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging series.
Looking Ahead
For the Mets, the series sweep stands as a significant confidence booster and a marker of how far they’ve come in recent months. Building on their current momentum, they aim to solidify their playoff position and continue their climb in the standings, setting their sights on greater achievements as the season progresses.
On the other hand, the Yankees will need to regroup and address their current shortcomings, particularly in their pitching staff, to keep their postseason aspirations alive. The coming weeks will be crucial for both New York teams as they strive to write the next chapters in their respective seasons amidst the backdrop of one of baseball's fiercest rivalries.