This season, both New York baseball teams have been at the top. The Mets are 78-44 and lead the NL East by four games despite the Braves’ recent run. Mets have been in first place every day this season except one, when they were 3-2 and a half-game out. The 74-48 Yankees have led the AL East since April 27. At one point, they were 15 1/2 games up. They’ve had a rough month, but they still lead by eight.
Monday and Tuesday will be the second and final regular season matchup in 2022. New Yorkers and TV executives may suspect a World Series preview. The first was in 2000.
The Mets face the Braves in their division and the Dodgers in the NLCS. If they can get to them, the Yankees will have to learn how to beat the Astros.
Both teams have a tough road ahead of them to win the World Series, but I’ve been asked to choose which one I’d rather bet on.
Why the Yankees should win?
The Bronx Bombers lead the league in homers and runs this season. Giancarlo Stanton is on the mend, and when healthy, the Yankees can flash an intimidating lineup with Andrew Benintendi and D.J. LeMahieu as table-setters for Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Stanton, Gleyber Torres, and Josh Donaldson. This lineup could put up a few crooked numbers per game in the playoffs, and three-run homers have turned series around before.
Assuming the Yankees get Luis Severino back and Frankie Montas on track, Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Montas and Severino have playoff potential. Or the Yankees could start Jameson Taillon and use Severino in relief.
The bullpen has been a problem, but it can be dominant in the playoffs. Clay Holmes, Aroldis Chapman, Wandy Peralta, Scott Effross, Lou Trivino, Ron Marinaccio, and Severino are all on. Aaron Boone would have a variety of arms.
To put it simply, the best Yankees team is one that can do a lot of damage in the playoffs and win the title.
They haven’t been at their best in about six weeks, though.
Why the Mets should win?
Chris Bassitt is a two-time All-Star and Cy Young finalist. In 11 starts, he’s 7-3 with a 2.11 ERA and 4-0 with a 0.69 ERA in August.
After Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, he’d be the Mets’ No. 3 playoff starter. If Carlos Carrasco recovers in time, Taijuan Walker could be the No. 4 starter. The Mets’ playoff rotation should be the best.
Edwin Daz, baseball’s best closer, is in the bullpen. He has a 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings.
Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor anchor the Mets’ lineup. Starling Marte, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo are doing well. Mark Canha is a top-tier third-baseman. Daniel Vogelbach is a DH gem.
It all comes down to who plays well when it counts, but the Mets have all the ingredients to win. They have two aces and a playoff rotation full of All-Stars. They close automatically. They have a deep offense that doesn’t rely on the longball but can hit game-changing bombs.
What do you think, leave a comment below?
