The teams are looking for a possible Subway Series reunion.
Not long ago, the Mets were 12.5 games back with a 36-38 win-loss record, and their postseason chances seemed slim to none. But then the team went on a seven-game winning streak (thank Grimace for that, who threw out the ceremonial pitch on June 12), and the Mets never looked back. For the Yankees, the turning point came when they acquired Juan Soto last winter, creating a one-two punch between Soto and Aaron Judge. The Yankees started strong with a 42-19 win-loss and first-place record at the beginning of June, but by the middle of July, they were 55-37, sitting three games behind the first-place Orioles.
In the end, the Mets finished 89-73, six games behind the Phillies in the NL East, good enough for a Wild Card berth. Meanwhile, the Yankees rebounded to win the AL East, ending the regular season at 94-68 for the AL’s best record and third-best overall behind the Dodgers and Phillies.
The teams had different expectations for 2024, with the Mets looking to rebuild for the future and stay competitive throughout the season. On Opening Day, Mets owner Steve Cohen said, “I think the goal is to make the playoffs. Pretty simple. Let’s not overthink this. If we didn’t make the playoffs, I’d be disappointed.” Said NYY manager Aaron Boone, “We understand winning the East is the first step, but it’s important.”
Last season, the Mets had a $355 million payroll, the highest in the MLB, but their season was a bust, finishing in fourth place with a 75-87 record. After the season, Cohen decided to go in a different direction–rebuilding and hiring the new President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, which paid off. In the Bronx, the Yankee’s message this season was clear: win it all. “Coming up short last year, it stings,” Yankees’ Captain Aaron Judge told the AP. “So we wanted to make a statement and put ourselves in a good position going into the postseason.”
Both teams have the same mission: return to the World Series. The Mets haven’t been there since 2015, and it has been even longer for the heralded Yankees (2009). 2000 was the last Subway Series, and wouldn’t it be great for the City if it happened again this year?
Fingers crossed!
