The Amazin’s are Back
Through one month of play, the New York Mets hold the best record in Major League Baseball. Yes, you read that right. It is still very early, but Mets fans have a lot to be excited about.
Prior to the bench-clearing dramatics on Wednesday, the latest thriller was yet another victory for the Mets via an improbable comeback against a solid St. Louis Cardinals club. Down 2-0 and to their last strike, the Mets took advantage of an error by Cardinals star third baseman, Nolan Arenado.
The error allowed for the inning to be prolonged, and the Mets threw up a five-spot to pull off the stunning Monday night win – highlighted by Dominic Smith’s head-first, two-RBI hustle infield single that’s arguably the most “baseball” baseball play in the slugfest over-saturated Statcast era.
The Mets have shown resilience early on, overcoming a three-run deficit against the San Francisco Giants to eventually win on a walk off as well. The Giants are still right up there amongst the top teams in the league, and the Mets proved if they could go toe-totoe with them, they could toe-to-toe with anybody.
New York has also started off well in divisional play, taking a series from their Philadelphia foes. The pitching has stepped up in the absence of ace Jacob deGrom, allowing the fourth fewest runs in baseball.
The offense has matched their efforts, tying the lineup lunacy Los Angeles Dodgers for the most runs scored in the league. Three players are hitting over .300, and star shortstop Francisco Lindor looks to have finally acclimated to his new Queens area code with a strong year-two, month one.
Looking ahead, the Mets will play key games against the Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the month of May. They will also take on a strong Seattle Mariners team in interleague play.
Pinstripe Pride
The Yankees have sneakily put up a top record in the American League as well. Amidst controversies of walking Miguel Cabrera on the cusp of his 3,000th hit and fans throwing garbage at opposing players, the Yanks have been able to win games in bulk.
At the center of it all: none other than “Nasty” Nestor Cortes. The breakout pitcher for the Yankees last year has picked up right where he left off, turning in three stellar performances. Currently seventh in the league in strikeouts, it seems there’s nothing the mustached southpaw can’t do. His latest feat was a diving play into first base to record a “web gem” putout on a ground ball.
Although some of their big bats have struggled, the Bombers have already compiled 10 wins. Led by slugger Anthony Rizzo, it was only a matter of a time before they ran into a comfortable blow-out, which they provided in a laugher over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday.
Rizzo has put up stellar offensive numbers, returning to form in a small sample size. He currently leads the team with five home runs and 12 runs batted in.
The Yankees are also beating the teams they should. After slumming it against the Baltimore Orioles, they tamed a young Tigers like they knew they had to. These games matter as much as September’s do.
A revenge series against the Baltimore Orioles is in order. Then, after that, they will take on the Kansas City Royals this weekend. What better time for the bats to heat up in lockstep with the weather? That’s baseball, readers.
