A well-rested New York Mets manager Buck Showalter returned from last week’s All-Star break with the postseason on his mind.
‘I took my grandsons to FAO Schwarz, that was a mistake,’ the 66-year-old told reporters about a costly trip to a toy store. ‘I’m going to need some playoff money.’
Fortunately, as the bonus-hungry Showalter pointed out, ‘there’s a finish line starting to appear in the distance.’
And that finish line may turn out to be pinstriped.
For all the excitement surrounding the first-place Mets (59-37) ahead of this week’s Subway Series, it’s the Yankees who have stolen the New York spotlight by cruising to MLB’s best record at 66-31. Now, Tuesday and Wednesday’s games between intercity rivals are about more than the novelty of interleague play: they’re a potential World Series preview.
Both teams have reasons for optimism.
Although their bullpen is facing an outbreak of injuries, the Yankees are equipped with baseball’s hottest bat in Aaron Judge, who has a .329 average and eight home runs for the month. For that matter, Judge also leads the majors in home runs, with 37 and, as if that’s not enough momentum, the soon-to-be free agent is playing for a new nine-figure contract.
Not to be outdone, the Mets recently got one Cy Young back from injury in Max Scherzer, while another, Jacob deGrom, is making rehab starts and could be on his way to his first start of the season.
In the meantime, here are five key areas where this week’s Subway Series could be won or lost:
One of the scariest sights for pitchers in 2022 has been the presence of Aaron Judge in the on-deck circle. The Yankees’ outfielder leads the majors with 37 home runs for the season
New York Mets manager Buck Showalter says he’s in need of a playoff bonus check
The Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton (left) and Mets Game 1 starter Taijuan Walker (right)
New York Yankees’ Mariano Rivera jumps up in the air after Bernie Williams caught the last out to defeat the New York Mets 4-2 in game five of the World Series at Shea Stadium in Flushing
Taijuan Walker vs. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton: Not only has the Mets’ Game 1 starter been nearly dominant this season, posting a 2.55 ERA (earned-run average) and a respectable 1.091 WHIP (walks and hits per inning), but he’s been devastating against righties, who are hitting just .229 with a .266 OBP (on-base percentage) against him this season.
The Yankees lineup, as fans have been quick to point out in recent years, is very heavy on righties, including Judge and Stanton.
Those matchups might seem like a potential problem for the Yankees, but both Stanton and Judge have had success against in their few meetings with Walker.
Judge is 2 for 7 with two home runs against the Louisiana native, while Stanton is 4 for 10 with a home run and a double.
Jordan Montgomery vs. Francisco Lindor: The Mets shortstop has the most experience against the Yankees’ Subway Series opener, given his history in the American League with Cleveland.
And not only has Lindor squared off with Montgomery, but he’s hit him hard, going 5 for 9 with a home run, a double, and two walks in 11 plate appearances.
Montgomery, meanwhile, is in the midst of a bizarre July. He’s pitched well, compiling a 3.13 ERA for the month while registering 24 strikeouts compared to just six walks. But while he’s only been charged with one defeat over that time, the Yankees have failed to win in any of his starts this month.
Jordan Montgomery (Right) is in the midst of a bizarre July. He’s pitched well, compiling a 3.13 ERA for the month while registering 24 strikeouts compared to just six walks. But while he’s only been charged with one defeat over that time, the Yankees have failed to win in any of his starts this month. The Mets shortstop has the most experience against the Yankees’ Game 1 starter, given his history in the American League with Cleveland. And not only has Francisco…
Read More: World Series preview in Queens? Mets and Yankees renew Subway Series rivalry