“As the sun rises over the concrete jungle of New York City, the anticipation builds for a battle that has become as iconic as the city’s skyline – the Subway Series. The New York Mets are gearing up to face off against their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, in a thrilling matchup that promises to electrify the Big Apple. With the Mets’ recent surge in performance, the stage is set for a thrilling clash of egos, skills, and city pride. As we dive into the day’s top stories and stats, get ready to join the conversation and see which team will emerge victorious in this epic battle for bragging rights. In this morning’s briefing, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the Mets’ top players to watch, the Yankees’ key strengths, and the season’s biggest storylines. So, grab your coffee, don your team’s colors, and get ready to go head-to-head with the best of Unionjournalism as we bring you the Morning Brief
Other MLB News
The Boston Red Sox placed RHP Tanner Houck on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 13, with a right flexor pronator strain. The Brewers signed OF Eddie Rosario to a minor league contract, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Three-time All-Star and longtime St. Louis Cardinal Matt Carpenter called it a career after 14 major league seasons, per Sports Spectrum. Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg suffered a setback as he was recovering from a hamstring strain, according to manager Brandon Hyde. He is pausing his running progression and they do not know when he will resume, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. The Cleveland Guardians hired former Cy Young Award winner RHP Corey Kluber in the role of Special Assistant, Pitching. The Brewers placed José Quintana on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder impingement, retroactive to May 11, and recalled Tobias Myers, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Seattle Mariners placed RHP Bryce Miller on the 15-day IL, retroactive to May 12, with right elbow inflammation. Los Angeles Angels flame-throwing reliever Ben Joyce is going to miss the duration of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his right shoulder on Wednesday. Ronald Acuña Jr. told the media that he apologized to Braves manager Brian Snitker and the team for his social media post last month, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Acuña called out Snitker for seemingly having a double standard when it came to reprimanding players.
Game Recap
After defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates (14-29) in the first two games of the series, the Mets (28-15) were on the hunt for a sweep Wednesday night and their fourth win in a row. Pittsburgh sent left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter (2-3, 4.36 ERA) to the mound against the Mets’ ace and former Pirate right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (5-1, 2.74 ERA). The Mets struggled to get anything going on Wednesday as the Pirates shut them out 4-0 to avoid being swept.
Mets Fall to Pirates 4-0
The Mets went to their bullpen in the seventh inning. It was Genesis Cabrera who came in to relieve Holmes on the mound. Holmes wasn’t as sharp as he had been in his previous outings. He gave up four earned runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out two in six innings. He threw 90 pitches (60 for strikes). The Mets moved players around in the eighth. After coming in to pinch-hit in the bottom of the seventh, both Jeff McNeil (pinch-hit for Jose Azocar) and Brett Baty (pinch-hit for Tyrone Taylor) remained in the game. McNeil went to right field and Baty went to second base. With Baty going to second, Luisangel Acuña moved to center field for his first major league appearance in at that position.
Pitching and Hitting
The Mets struggled to get anything going on Wednesday as the Pirates shut them out 4-0 to avoid being swept. With one on in the top of the second, the Pirates struck first on a two-run home run by Holmes’ former teammate Isiah Kiner-Falefa that gave Pittsburgh the early 2-0 lead. The Pirates extended that lead in the fifth on a second two-run home run given up by Holmes, this time to Jared Triolo that scored Ji Hwan Bae to make it 4-0 Pittsburgh.
Player Performances
Offensively, the Mets struggled to get anything going. Mark Vientos, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, Luis Torrens, and Jeff McNeil each had hits, but the Mets were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left a total of eight runners on base. They were shut out for the second time this season. STAT OF THE GAME Wednesday’s stat of the game is Acuña making his first appearance in center field. Acuna did see time in the outfield in the minor leagues and the Mets had said they may experiment with him in the outfield. PLAYER OF THE GAME Wednesday’s player of the game is Cabrera, who came in and threw two scoreless innings of relief. He gave up just two hits, one walk, and struck out four over the course of 35 pitches (22 for strikes). His ERA improves to 1.80.
On Deck
After an off-day on Thursday, the Mets will take a train ride down the subway to Yankee Stadium for the highly-anticipated Subway Series, which features the return of Soto to the Bronx. The projected pitchers for this weekend’s Subway Series are as follows: Tylor Megill vs. Carlos Rodón, Griffin Canning vs. Clarke Schmidt and David Peterson vs. Max Fried. The big storyline this weekend will be Juan Soto’s returning to Yankee Stadium for the first time since leaving for Queens in the offseason. After Wednesday night’s game, Soto told reporters that he’s most looking forward to the crowd, saying he does not mind the boos. It is shaping up to be an exciting weekend in the Bronx.
Soto confirmed that he will be playing for the Domincan Republic during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Click here for more on his decision. Steve Cohen is one step closer to getting a casino following Tuesday’s 138-7 vote. Click here for more information.
The Subway Series schedule and projected pitchers are as follows:
- Friday, May 20: Mets at Yankees – Tylor Megill vs. Carlos Rodón (7:05 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, May 21: Mets at Yankees – Griffin Canning vs. Clarke Schmidt (1:05 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, May 22: Mets at Yankees – David Peterson vs. Max Fried (1:05 p.m. ET)
What to expect from the team after their latest series is unclear, but one thing is certain: the Subway Series is always an exciting and intense series, and this year will be no exception.
Looking ahead to the series, previews and analysis will be coming soon. Stay tuned for more updates and information on the Mets and the Subway Series.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mets’ pursuit of a Subway Series showdown with the Yankees is a tantalizing prospect that has sent shockwaves throughout the baseball world. The article highlights the Mets’ impressive start to the season, their determination to overtake the Nationals in the NL East, and their potential to make a deep postseason run. Moreover, the rivalry between the two New York teams adds an extra layer of excitement, with the Mets seeking to dethrone the Yankees’ dominance in the city.
The significance of the Mets’ push for the Subway Series cannot be overstated. It would be a monumental achievement for the team, showcasing their growth and resilience over the past few seasons. Furthermore, a matchup between the two teams would bring unparalleled attention and electricity to the city, with fans from both sides eager to witness their teams clash. As the season unfolds, we can expect the Mets to continue their pursuit, fueled by their impressive pitching and potent offense.