The ghosts of October past still linger in the air. The echoes of a historic wild card series, the sting of a heartbreaking loss – all return to haunt the Mets as they face their arch-rivals, the Yankees, in a pivotal series this week. But this time, the stakes are even higher. Juan Soto, the enigmatic superstar who shocked the baseball world with his move to the Mets, makes his first return to The Bronx since the trade, bringing a wave of anticipation and a simmering tension that threatens to boil over. Will Soto be welcomed with open arms, or greeted with the jeers of a loyal fanbase he once called his own? Find out as we dive into this captivating series preview and explore the storylines that promise to make this clash of titans truly unforgettable.
Juan Soto’s Return to The Bronx
This edition of the Subway Series is going to be special. I can’t think of one in the regular season that has garnered this much buzz and anticipation. Juan Soto is set to make his return to The Bronx as a member of the New York Mets (28-16), who own a 2 1/2-game lead atop the NL East. So far, the New York Yankees (25-18) have looked just fine without the superstar outfielder. Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice have guided an offense that leads all of baseball with 5.81 runs per game. The Mets and Yankees are two of the best teams in baseball, so expect that to showcase itself this weekend.
Let’s take a look at some notes for the three pitching matchups.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday: Tylor Megill (3-3, 3.10 ERA) vs. Carlos Rodón (4-3, 3.29 ERA): After pitching to a 1.74 ERA over his first six starts, Megill has hit his first bump in the road. He has allowed four earned runs in each of his last two starts, giving him a 7.45 ERA during that stretch. Megill has made a habit out of pitching extremely well in April, then following it up with different results in May and beyond. Can he change that narrative? Megill now owns a 5.97 ERA in May for his career. Rodón is having his best stretch of the season. Over his last five outings, he is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA. He has also thrown six innings or more in all of those starts, which is exactly what the Yankees need from him. Rodón has a career 0.84 ERA across 10 2/3 innings against the Mets.
Saturday: Griffin Canning (5-1, 2.36 ERA) vs. Clarke Schmidt (1-1, 4.73 ERA): Canning’s surprise campaign continues to reach unforeseen levels. He has now made eight starts this season. In seven of them, he has given up two earned runs or less. The Mets are also 7-1 with Canning on the mound. The former Los Angeles Angel will make his second career start at Yankee Stadium and his first since April of 2023. Schmidt earned his first win of the season on Monday against the Seattle Mariners. He was scratched from a start earlier this month due to some soreness, but was able to return earlier this week. That’s potentially something to keep an eye on. Schmidt has made three starts at home this year, going 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA across 16 2/3 innings.
Sunday: David Peterson (2-2, 3.05 ERA) vs. Max Fried (6-0, 1.11 ERA): Peterson has flown under the radar with the way Canning and Kodai Senga have pitched. The left-hander has allowed two earned runs or less in all eight of his starts. It is still a bit early, but it appears last season’s numbers were not a fluke. Peterson will look to continue his impressive start to the season as he takes on Fried. Fried has been nearly untouchable this season, owning a 6-0 record with a 1.11 ERA.
Soto’s Impact on the Mets
Juan Soto’s return to the Mets lineup is expected to have a significant impact on the team’s offense. Soto is one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, with the ability to hit for both power and average. He has a .285 batting average and .394 on-base percentage this season, and is expected to provide a boost to the Mets’ struggling offense.
The Mets have struggled to score runs this season, ranking 23rd in the majors with an average of 3.93 runs per game. Soto’s return could provide a much-needed spark to the team’s offense, and could help the Mets to score more runs and win more games.
Soto’s presence in the lineup also creates a dilemma for opposing teams. The Mets will now have a potent combination of power and speed in their lineup, with Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Jeff McNeil providing a threat to score runs from all angles.
What to Expect from Soto
Juan Soto is expected to make a significant impact on the Mets’ lineup, but what can fans expect from him? Soto has been one of the most consistent hitters in the game over the past few seasons, with a .285 batting average and .394 on-base percentage this season.
Soto is expected to provide a boost to the Mets’ offense, with his ability to hit for both power and average. He has a strong track record of getting on base and scoring runs, and is likely to continue to do so in the coming weeks.
Soto will also provide a threat to score runs from all angles, with his speed and power making him a difficult player to defend. The Mets will look to use Soto’s speed to their advantage, with the hope of creating scoring opportunities and winning more games.
Series Outlook
The Mets and Yankees are two of the best teams in baseball, and their series this weekend is expected to be a closely contested and exciting one. The Mets are currently in first place in the NL East, while the Yankees are just one game back in second place.
The Mets have been playing well of late, with a 7-3 record over their last 10 games. They will look to continue that momentum this weekend, with a strong pitching performance from Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning expected to lead the way.
The Yankees, on the other hand, have been struggling of late, with a 4-6 record over their last 10 games. They will look to bounce back this weekend, with a strong performance from Carlos Rodón and Max Fried expected to lead the way.
The Mets’ Chances
The Mets are in a great position to make a deep run in the playoffs, with their strong pitching and offense making them a formidable opponent. They have a 2 1/2-game lead in the NL East, and are expected to continue to play well this weekend against the Yankees.
The Mets have been playing well of late, with a 7-3 record over their last 10 games. They will look to continue that momentum this weekend, with a strong pitching performance from Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning expected to lead the way.
The Yankees’ Chances
The Yankees are struggling of late, with a 4-6 record over their last 10 games. They will look to bounce back this weekend, with a strong performance from Carlos Rodón and Max Fried expected to lead the way.
The Yankees have been relying heavily on their offense this season, with Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice all playing well. However, they will need to get better performances from their pitching staff if they are to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Series Prediction
This weekend’s series between the Mets and Yankees is expected to be a closely contested and exciting one. The Mets have been playing well of late, with a 7-3 record over their last 10 games. However, the Yankees are still a strong team and are expected to give the Mets a run for their money.
I predict the Mets to win the series 2-1, with Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning leading the way on the mound. The Yankees will put up a fight, but the Mets’ strong pitching and offense will ultimately prove to be too much for them.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive conclusion, we reflect on the thrilling series preview between the New York Mets and Juan Soto visiting The Bronx, highlighting the significance and implications of their return.
Throughout the article, we have explored the key points and main arguments, including the impressive performance of Juan Soto, the Mets’ resurgence, and the anticipation surrounding their match against the reigning World Series champions, the New York Yankees. Our discussion underscored the importance of these upcoming games, showcasing the potential for a thrilling series and the opportunity for both teams to showcase their talent and prove their mettle.
This series has the potential to have far-reaching implications, both for the teams involved and the wider baseball community. For the Mets and Juan Soto, these games represent a chance to cement their status as one of the league’s top contenders, while also proving their worth against the defending champions. For Yankees fans, this series promises an intense showdown between two of baseball’s most exciting talents, unfolding on the iconic stage of Yankee Stadium.
Beyond the implications for the Mets, Yankees, and Juan Soto, this series holds broader significance for baseball enthusiasts across the United States. As we witness these two powerhouses clash, we are reminded of the exhilarating nature of baseball, with every pitch, every play, and every out providing a thrilling spectacle for fans.
Looking ahead, the implications of this series are significant, not only for this season but also for the future prospects of both teams. With Juan Soto leading the Mets’ charge and the Yankees’ formidable roster, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown. As fans eagerly await the next chapter in this captivating series, one can only wonder about the future implications of these teams’ performances. Will the Mets and Juan Soto continue to make waves in the league, challenging established powerhouses and elevating the Mets to new heights? Or will the Yankees assert their dominance, further solidifying their position as a formidable force to be reckoned with?
The anticipation surrounding the Mets, Juan Soto, and the Yankees is palpable, evoking a sense of excitement and intrigue for baseball fans everywhere. As we eagerly anticipate the outcome of these upcoming games, it is clear that this series will leave