New York — The Subway Series rivalry has taken an unexpected turn in 2025, with both the New York Yankees and New York Mets battling identical crises that threaten their postseason aspirations. While the Mets lead the majors in bullpen losses, the Yankees trail by just one defeat in this unwanted category.
Mets lead MLB in bullpen failures despite trade deadline spending
According to Baseball Reference, the New York Mets are tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins for the most bullpen losses in Major League Baseball this season, recording 27 defeats. The Yankees sit just behind at 26 bullpen losses, creating an embarrassing parallel between the crosstown rivals.
The statistics become more troubling for the Mets considering their aggressive trade deadline moves. The team acquired proven relievers Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto specifically to address bullpen concerns, yet the problems have intensified.
“These are tough losses, like today’s, but you have to keep pushing forward,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Our coaching staff is currently reviewing every aspect of our performance to develop solutions and support our players, particularly those in the rotation.”
Wild card standings show razor-thin margins
Both New York teams currently occupy the third wild card spots in their respective leagues, but their positions remain precarious. The Yankees hold a 62-56 record in the American League, while the Mets stand at 63-55 in the National League.
The separation between the clubs amounts to just one game, highlighting how similarly both franchises have performed during their parallel slides. The Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers trail the Yankees by three games for the final AL wild card position. The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals pose equal threats to the Mets’ playoff hopes.
“We haven’t played well for quite a bit now and that’s what happens,” Mendoza told reporters. “We can’t be looking at the standings. We got to start getting the job done. That simple.”
Betting markets reflect twin collapses
The dramatic decline of both New York teams has created nearly identical scenarios in betting markets. The Yankees’ division odds have crashed from -1100 in early June to +475 currently. The Mets face the exact same +475 odds to win the NL East, representing their longest odds of the entire season.
World Series futures tell a similar story of parallel disappointment. The Yankees have fallen from +550 to +1300, while the Mets dropped from +750 to +1600. Both teams have watched multiple franchises leap ahead of them in championship betting.
Yankees face easier path despite similar struggles
While both teams have endured comparable collapses, their remaining schedules present vastly different challenges. The Yankees benefit from the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in baseball, facing struggling opponents like the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals.
The Mets confront the ninth-hardest schedule remaining, with series against playoff contenders including the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies still to come.
“Obviously we are feeling it. We know we have to be better,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “At the same time, we are in control of this. I wholeheartedly believe that we are going to get rolling and turn this thing around.”
Starting rotation problems compound bullpen issues
Both teams share identical problems with starting pitcher length, creating additional strain on their struggling bullpens. Yankees starters have completed six innings only three times in their last 24 games, with Max Fried and Carlos Rodon both failing to provide consistent length.
The Mets face even worse starting pitching depth. Only David Peterson has reached six innings in the team’s last 53 games, completing that feat eight times. No other Mets starter has pitched six innings since Clay Holmes accomplished it on June 7.
Star players underperforming across both rosters
The Yankees and Mets have watched their marquee players struggle during this critical stretch. Yankees superstar Aaron Judge carries a .631 OPS since the All-Star break while managing a flexor strain that sidelined him for nearly two weeks.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has posted an even worse .510 OPS since the break, while Pete Alonso sits at .639. Juan Soto, the $765 million prize both teams pursued, has managed just a .741 OPS since joining the Mets, well below his typical production.
Historical context of simultaneous failure
The magnitude of both teams’ struggles creates an unprecedented situation in New York baseball. Since June 13, the Mets have compiled an 18-31 record while the Yankees went 20-31 during the same period.
This represents a stunning reversal for franchises that appeared destined for a potential Subway Series. The Mets held a 45-24 record and commanded a 5.5-game NL East lead on June 12. The Yankees built a seven-game AL East advantage by May 28 before beginning their current spiral.
The parallel collapses have created an unusual dynamic where neither New York team can capitalize on their rival’s struggles. Instead, both franchises find themselves fighting to avoid becoming the latest cautionary tale of championship expectations gone wrong.
Both teams remain in playoff position as August progresses, but their identical struggles with bullpen management and starting pitching depth suggest the problems run deeper than simple bad luck. The coming weeks will determine whether either New York team can break free from this shared nightmare scenario.
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