Coming into the 2023 MLB Season, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees were among the favorites to win the World Series in the fall. The Mets came off an 101 win season in 2022, combined with the largest payroll in the MLB at $363 million. The Yankees were coming in off of a 99 win season and an ALCS appearance. The Yankees payroll sat at $276 million, which is enough for the second highest in the MLB. High expectations were put on the NY baseball teams, and so far, not so good.
Mets:
As of this writing, the Mets sit at 35-43, which is 16 games back of division leading Atlanta, and 8.5 games back of the final NL Wild Card Spot. The Mets season had a bump in the road before it even started, with star closer Edwin Diaz tearing his ACL after celebrating a win in the WBC. Seasoned veteran David Robertson has slid into the closer role nicely, but the rest of the bullpen has struggled. The Mets bullpen ERA is 4.29, which is amongst the worst in the major leagues. Their bats haven't been much better, sitting 16th in runs scored at 4.47. The Mets season has to turn around quick or it will be another one that ends with no playoffs in Queens.
Yankees:
Like the Mets, the Yankees had great expectations coming into the 2023 season. For the most part, the Yankees have not met them as we near the halfway point in the MLB season. Before it even started, new signing Carlos Rodon, and 2022 deadline pickup Harrison Bader were sidelined with injuries. Since then, Giancarlo Stanton had a hamstring injury, Aaron Judge has been on the IL twice, Harrison Bader had another injury, and Nestor Cortes suffered a shoulder injury. Despite all these injuries, the Yankees sit at 43-35. The 8 games over 500 is not what is worrying fans, it is the weak offense. Aaron Judge is on the IL and there is no timetable for his return. In games he doesn't play, the Yankees are the 29th best offense in baseball. The big names such as Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gleyber Torres have to step up on the offensive end to get this team where it wants to go. The pitching on the other hand, has been phenomenal. Gerrit Cole looks to be in the running for the AL Cy Young award combined with the bullpen that allows the least runs in baseball. Michael King, Wandy Peralta, Tommy Kahnle, and Clay Holmes have locked down the final innings for the Yankees. With the Rays at 54-27, a wildcard berth seems most likely for the Yanks. Will the bats have enough firepower to get them through playoff series'?
Photo: Elite Sports NY
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