It’s baseball heaven for New York Mets and New York Yankees fans as both teams made the postseason. But the expectations for the teams entering this season were vastly different. The Yankees were a betting favorite to reach the World Series while the Mets were considered to be rebuilding and a longshot playoff contender. But here we are, in the first week of October, and the Mets began their best-of-three series in Milwaukee with the NL Central division champion Brewers on Tuesday. The Yankees will open their playoff run at home on Saturday with the opponent yet to be determined at AmNews press time. Both New York ball clubs battled division rivals over the past week, the Mets facing NL East foe, the Atlanta Braves, for three games, including a dramatic road doubleheader on Monday, and the Yankees hosting the Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx for three, claiming the AL East title with a 10-1 win last Thursday. The Mets’ thrilling 8-7 come from behind win versus the Braves Monday afternoon in Game 1 of the aforementioned doubleheader earned them a wild card berth. A two-run home run by shortstop Francisco Lindor in the top of the ninth clinched the game and was necessary after Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz blew a three-run lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. However, after the Mets regained the lead, Diaz closed the door on the Braves, throwing 40 pitches to pick up the save. A team meeting called by Lindor in May and personnel adjustments made during the season by manager Carlos Mendoza, who should receive heavy consideration for NL Manager of the Year in his first season guiding the Mets, was key in the team becoming one of just four teams since 1970 to make the playoffs following an 0-5 start. They ended with a mark of 89-73. The Brewers, which were 93-69, defeated the Mets five of six games during the regular season, including winning two of the three this past weekend in Milwaukee. Speed was a decisive factor. The Brewers were successful on all 17 stolen base attempts against the Mets in their six games prior to the playoffs. The Yankees won their division with a 94-68 record finishing three games ahead of the Orioles. Led by center fielder Aaron Judge, the likely American League MVP after topping Major League Baseball in home runs (58), runs batted in (144). walks (133) and OPS (1.159), as well as being second in total bases (392), third in batting average (.322) and fourth in runs scored (122). Similarly, right fielder Juan Soto had an MVP-caliber campaign with 41 home runs (fourth) 109 runs batted in (sixth) and 129 walks, second to Judge.
Infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm’s acquisition in July in a trade with the Miami Marlins has solidified the lineup and shored up the defense with his play at third base. Second baseman Gleyber Torres has performed well at the top of the lineup since being inserted there in early August. His production at the plate could shift sway the outcomes of games. The Yankees pitching, at times inconsistent during the regular season, will be tested. A critical component is the Yankees bullpen, where Luke Weaver has seemingly replaced the embattled Clay Holmes as the closer. The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009. The Mets’ drought has been much longer as their last championship was 1986. The teams’ respective fan bases are starved for a parade down Lower Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes, where New York championship winners are celebrated.