Knicks, Mets Hot…Yanks Not

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

When the New York Knicks took the floor Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, they were looking to do something they haven’t done since 2014. That year, New York won 8 straight games. If they took out the Hornets, their streak would have been extended to 7 after they beat the New Orleans Pelicans last Sunday in a thrilling 122-112 overtime victory. Forward Julius Randle dropped 33 points and 10 assists and guard Derrick Rose added 23 points as they saw their record go to 31-27. Going into the game against the Hornets, the Knicks held on to the 6th playoff spot. They haven’t been to the postseason since the 2013-14 season. First year head coach Tom Thibideau has to be a strong candidate for coach of the year while Randle will get some MVP points. In his last 5 games, Randle has scored 33, 44, 32, 34 and 26 points as well as 41 rebounds and 31 assists. Said Thibodeau of Randle, “I’ve said it many times: He’s our engine. He makes us go.” After Charlotte, The Knicks hosted Atlanta last night with Toronto coming into Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

 

Meanwhile in Queens, the New York Metropolitans woke up after a sleepy start. Their opening weekend series against the Nationals was postponed as players from Washington tested positive for COVID-19. When they finally got on the field, the Mets, in order, Lost 2 off three against Philadelphia. They split 2 games against Miami (the third game was suspended due to rain). Philly took 2 of 3 the next time they met. New York goes to Denver and takes 2 out of 3 against the Rockies to see their record go to 7-4. In the last game (a 2-1 win), starting pitcher Marcus Stroman threw 8 strong innings. Said Stroman after the game, “I think my stuff plays well here,” he said of pitching at Coors Field. “I think I do a good job of being able to keep the ball on the ground no matter what park I go to.” The Mets began a 3-game series in Chicago against the Cubs this past Tuesday before coming home to host the Nationals. 

 

Across the borough in the Bronx, the Bombers have stumbled out of the gate. They opened the season at home only to lose 2 of 3 to the Toronto Blue Jays. They rebound winning 2 out of 3 from the Baltimore Orioles. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have been a thorn in their side the last couple of years, takes 2 out of 3. Toronto hosted them in Dunedin Florida and takes 2 out of three. New York comes home to play Tampa again only to get swept in the 3-game series dropping their record to 5-10. No telling how fiery owner George Steinbrenner would be reacting at the team’s start. Said General Manager Brian Cashman, “it’s 15 games I’d like to forget. I’ve got a lot of trust in the people we have,” he said. “I’ve seen them work a lot of magic along the way. We’re not reactive. I don’t see us reacting to not believing in the staff we have, and the players we have, either.” When the Yankees began a 2-game series against the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night in the Bronx they were 24th in on base percentage, 26th in batting average and last in OPS. This from a roster that has Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and DJ LeMahieu. We’re still in April and the baseball season is a marathon not a sprint. Let’s see where the team is in June.

Not much was expected from the New York Knicks as all off the New York basketball landscape has been focusing on the super team that was assembled by the Brooklyn Nets. Thibodeau and Randle has the team looking at the playoffs.

 

The Mets new owner Steve Cohen vowed to spend money and get the best players money could buy. He backed up his words by trading for superstar Francisco Lindor who agreed to a franchise record 10-year, $341 million contract extension. Although beginning the year on the injured list, pitcher Carlos Carrasco (added via trade) is expected to be on the mound in May. Cohen made sure the team retained the services of Stroman, Steven Matz, Noah Syndergaard, Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. The team also signed free agent (4-years, $40 million) catcher James McCann. The Mets expect to go deep in the playoffs under second year manager Luis Rojas.

 

The last couple of years has been totally frustrating for the New York Yankees. They have not won a World Series since 2009. Offense has not been a problem in the regular season. The postseason is a different story. Manager Aaron Boone (4th Year) said after the most recent loss, “we’re getting punched in the mouth right now.” They better start fighting back soon or the sounds of a managerial change will begin.