Charles Esther
When the New York Mets and New York Yankees faced off in the first Subway Series of 2025 in mid-May, New York baseball fans were thrilled.
Both teams led their respective divisions and appeared destined for the postseason.
However, recent performances have dimmed those expectations for both N.Y. squads.
Yankees Slip from First Place and Face Injuries
The Yankees have fallen from the top of the American League East.
Star player Aaron Judge suffered a flexor strain, affecting both his time on the field and performance at bat.
Their starting rotation and bullpen have struggled, while the offense has leaned heavily on home runs.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers are closing in on wild-card positions.
Mets Suffer Losing Streak
The Mets’ slump began with seven consecutive losses.
They dropped from competing with the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East crown to barely holding the final wild-card spot.
The starting rotation has struggled, with key pitchers failing to deliver consistent results.
Expert Opinions on Mets’ Struggles
Jorge Castillo expressed moderate concern due to pitching issues, though he believes injured players returning could stabilize the team.
Buster Olney highlighted the Mets’ lineup and rotation deficiencies compared to strong NL teams like the Brewers and Phillies.
Jeff Passan noted the team’s overall depth and bullpen strength, suggesting their recent slump isn’t catastrophic.
Jesse Rogers mentioned that while the Mets likely won’t miss the playoffs, their division lead is effectively lost.
Yankees’ Playoff Hopes Under Scrutiny
Castillo is very concerned about the Yankees due to Judge’s injury and underperforming pitching.
Olney pointed out that the end-of-season schedule is favorable, leaving room for a potential turnaround.
Passan remains relatively optimistic, noting key pitchers’ returns and the team’s home run power.
Rogers is highly concerned, emphasizing that the Yankees’ performance depends on Judge and Stanton staying healthy.
Outlook for October
Despite mid-season struggles, both teams still have playoff potential.
The Mets are likely to play in early October, but their hopes for a higher seed are diminished.
The Yankees’ remaining schedule appears easier, offering opportunities to regain momentum.
Whether the Mets or Yankees will be New York’s last team standing in October remains uncertain.
