PORT JEFF, NY – We have so much to talk about, so let’s table the pleasantries for another time Here’s our slate: Mets Make Statement, Are Yankees This Bad? Kershaw Returns
Mets Make Statement,
The New York Mets have had one of the most dramatic in season turnarounds I have ever seen. Sure, teams go through peaks and valleys through a long season but it’s not just the winning and losing with this current group – there’s a belief and sense of urgency to play a hard 27 outs every single day. As currently constructed, this team is in the second Wild Card spot, without one pitch being thrown by their ace, who happens to return tomorrow. Pairing a returning Kodai Senga with the emergence of a new and improved Luis Severino, the Mets two frontline starters can go toe to toe with anyone in the NL. If Stearns can acquire a few above average relievers, who knows what the ceiling can be for this team? Fransisco Lindor has inserted himself squarely into the MVP discussion. A lot has been made of who the best SS in the game is. I’ll take Lindor every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Are Yankees This Bad?
There are always two sides to the Subway Series. In this case, we know the Mets swept the season series and did so convincingly. Ergo, I must ask the question: Is this just who the Yanks are? Over the past two months the Bronx Bombers have a record that rivals the White Sox. Outside of Judge and Soto this team just doesn’t have the fire power they seemingly had, even ace’ Gerrit Cole has regressed. Marcus Stroman has been okay, Luis Gil has had a nice season. But… as currently constructed, this Yankee’s team won’t even come close to competing with Orioles, who have also really struggled over the past month or so. Barring a Yoenis Cespedes-type of acquisition, we may just have to accept that this is who they are. That leads us to other questions:
–What if Juan Soto leaves next season?
–Do the Yankee’s try to retool and trade some pieces in the offseason?
–Do they throw more money at a high-priced free agent next year and hope to compete?
As a Mets fan I can’t pretend to know how deep the Yankees farm system is, however, we have heard about the Martian – Jasson Dominguez – since he was 16. Maybe he would be the one piece that could reignite the fire with this current team.
Kershaw Returns
One of the best pitchers to ever step foot on a baseball field returned against the San Francisco Giants yesterday, and looked like himself. This got me pondering: Where would you rank Kershaw on the all-time starting pitchers list? In my opinion, prime Clayton Kershaw would be at least in the discussion for the best pitcher of the last 25-30 years.
An argument could also be made he the best left-handed starter ever. I did not get to see the great sandy Koufax pitch, but even he himself has said Kershaw had the best curveball he’s ever seen. Even as a Mets fan who grew up watching the likes of Johan Santana, Matt Harvey and even Jacob deGrom – Kershaw is as brilliant as any. I’d be interested in hearing who you guys think.
