The New York Yankees are heading into a heated Subway Series against the New York Mets, but the buzz isn't just about the crosstown rivalry—it's about the man in the other dugout. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge recently sent a message to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, and it's got fans talking.

First, a quick look at the Yankees' recent form: after dominating the American League early in the season, they hit a rough patch. A sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers and a series loss to the Baltimore Orioles have raised a few eyebrows. As Chris Kirschner of The Athletic put it, "Two things can be true at the same time: The New York Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, but a few concerns are starting to arise."

Still, the Yankees' struggles pale in comparison to the Mets' woes. After missing the playoffs last year and undergoing a major roster overhaul in the offseason, the Mets have stumbled to one of the worst records in baseball. That's put manager Carlos Mendoza squarely in the spotlight—and not in a good way.

ESPN's Jorge Castillo reported that Mendoza has heard the chatter about his job security. He knows what happened to Alex Cora and Rob Thomson, two respected managers who were fired early this season when their high-payroll teams struggled. "He is cognizant that his team must start winning in order for him to avoid joining them," Castillo wrote.

While Mets president David Stearns has publicly backed Mendoza, the pressure is mounting. A series win against the Yankees could be just the spark the Mets need—but with Judge and the Bombers looking to regain their momentum, it won't be easy. For fans on both sides of the city, this Subway Series just got a whole lot more interesting.