In the world of New York baseball, few things spark more curiosity than the stark contrast between the two teams sharing the city. As the Subway Series approaches, Yankees captain Aaron Judge has voiced genuine bewilderment over the Mets' unexpected struggles this season.
"I really don't understand it," Judge said Wednesday, ahead of Friday's series opener at Citi Field. His confusion is understandable. The Mets entered 2023 with sky-high expectations, backed by a record-breaking payroll of $378.3 million. Yet they find themselves in last place in the NL East with an 18-25 record, despite a recent sweep of the Tigers that offered a glimmer of hope.
Judge pointed to the Mets' strong foundation: "They got a great manager with Mendy over there. He spent a lot of great times over here with us, and they have a great lineup, a great pitching staff." The "Mendy" in question is Carlos Mendoza, the Mets' third-year skipper who previously served as the Yankees' bench coach under Aaron Boone from 2020 to 2023. Despite the team's early-season collapse—where they lost 17 of 20 games from April 8 to 30—Mendoza has maintained support from ownership and management.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone also weighed in, offering a vote of confidence for his former colleague. "Obviously, they're going through a tough time, but I think Mendy is great at what he does," Boone said earlier this month. "As much as you could be equipped to handle everything that's going on with them, he certainly is. I know he'll be fine."
The Mets have shown signs of recovery, winning eight of their last 12 games entering the Subway Series. But the hole they've dug remains deep. Boone acknowledged their recent improvement while keeping his focus on his own team: "It's obviously been a tough start to the season for them. It seems like they're playing better of late. Hopefully, we go play well and put ourselves in position to win a series."
The Yankees arrive in Queens with a 27-17 record, sitting second in the AL East. However, they're not without their own concerns. After consecutive series losses—a sweep in Milwaukee and dropping two of three in Baltimore—a quiet offense has raised questions. For both teams, this Subway Series isn't just about bragging rights; it's a chance to reset and prove their mettle.