Major League Baseball’s schedule creators made a fitting choice this year by planning the Subway Series on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. After a heartfelt pregame tribute during Friday’s opener, the mood quickly shifted as the Yankee Stadium announcer revealed Juan Soto batting second and playing left field, prompting over 40,000 fans to loudly boo the former Yankee like he was the ultimate betrayer.
The Yankees (86-63) are deep into a critical final stretch, striving to overtake the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL East title. The Mets, having little to gain in a disappointing season, still managed to disrupt the Yankees’ momentum. Ultimately, the Bronx Bombers won two out of three games from the Mets but remain four games behind the Rays. Meanwhile, the Mets, who’ve shown improvement since the trade deadline, displayed glimpses of their promising future during the competitive weekend.
Here are four key takeaways from this emotionally charged Subway Series in the Bronx:
Gerrit Cole’s Struggles with Home Runs
Once the Yankees’ ace, Gerrit Cole has now ceded that role to Cam Schlittler after another rough start. Cole lasted just 4⅓ innings Saturday against a struggling Mets squad and has surrendered seven home runs in his last 11⅓ innings, with his strikeout rate dropping significantly. His 24.6% strikeout rate is the lowest since his 2017 Pirates days, while his home run rate (4.2%) ranks among the highest in his full seasons. With strong performances from Schlittler, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodon, Cole has become the biggest concern heading into October. Despite a solid overall season following Tommy John surgery, his recent form and high ERA over his last starts raise worries at a crucial time. Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Cole’s health and ability to adjust, but the veteran must swiftly regain form or risk burdening the bullpen heavily.Yankees’ Bullpen Remains Unstable
Right-hander Paul Blackburn, recently trusted by Boone, has faltered, loading bases and allowing a run in Friday’s game before being relieved by Brent Headrick, who also struggled by loading the bases in the following inning. This forced the Yankees to use closer David Bednar for a demanding five-out save. While Bednar has been excellent all season with a 2.66 ERA and 34 saves, the overall relief corps raises concerns. The bullpen’s volatility, especially lacking dependable high-leverage arms, puts leads in jeopardy. Injuries to key relievers like Fernando Cruz further complicate matters, though returns from Clarke Schmidt and Ryan Weathers are anticipated soon, potentially stabilizing the bullpen for the postseason.Zac Thornton Shines as a Promising New Mets Pitcher
Facing Aaron Judge, Thornton didn’t back down, throwing a 95.5 mph fastball to strike out the AL MVP in the first inning. Thornton dominated the Yankees with seven strong innings in a 12-2 Mets victory, allowing only two runs and impressing with his quick tempo and ability to keep batters off balance. Demonstrating composure when runners reached base, Thornton escaped a tough seventh inning unscathed. His bounce-back performance follows a rough outing against the Giants and highlights his potential as one of the Mets’ promising arms, joining Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as hopeful contributors to next year’s rotation—a critical factor given the Mets’ limited options in free agency.Aaron Judge Is Still Regaining His Timing
The Yankees’ lineup benefits from Judge’s return from a fractured rib, but he’s yet to find his rhythm after a three-month hiatus. Opting out of minor-league rehab to aid the pennant push, Judge has faced live pitching primarily in the majors, with limited playing time and early game exits. In four games since his return, he’s 3-for-14 with six strikeouts and hasn’t recorded a home run or extra-base hit since May. Although he needs more time to regain form, the Yankees hope he will be fully ready for a pivotal series against the Rays next week. When asked if he feels like he’s still ramping up, Judge admitted he has no time for a slow start but is confident he will soon be at full power.
Fan Take:
This Subway Series highlights the critical juncture for both teams as the Yankees aim for a playoff spot and the Mets build toward the future. How Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge perform down the stretch will heavily influence the playoff picture, while the emergence of young arms like Zac Thornton offers hope that baseball’s next generation is ready to take the spotlight.
Source: www.foxsports.com
