From Our Contributors, Sports

Both Yanks and Mets Struggling

Great Catch Lands Judge On The Injured List
 
By Andrew Rosario
 
Polar Bear Hit By Pitch On Left Wrist Against Atlanta
 
When the New York Mets hosted the New York Yankees for their first Subway Series in 2023neither team could claim bragging right for the city. The Bronx Bombers came into series this past Tuesday having lost 2 out of 3 to the hated rival Boston Red Sox. It dropped their record to 38-29 having lost 6 of their last 10 games. Making matters worse, captain ?Aaron Judge missed the last 7 game with a bruised toe after crashing into the fence when they played the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since his absence, the team has only scored 21 runs in 7 games. First baseman Anthony Rizzo is in funk getting only 1 hit in his previous 30 at bats. Said manager Aaron Boone of the recent struggles, “tough league. Adversity is coming for us. We know it and we will overcome it. But nobody is going to potty us.” As of Tuesday, the Yankees were 9 games out of first place from the Tampa Bay Rays who are sporting a 48-21 record.
 
For the Metropolitans, the news is much worse. They sit in 4th place in their division with a sub-par 31-35 record and like the Yankees are 9 games out of first place behind the Atlanta Braves who sport a 40-26 record having won 7 of their last 10 games. The Mets offense has been affected by the absence of their slugger Pete Alonso who is expected to miss at least the next 3 weeks after getting hit on the left wrist against the Braves. Prior to his injury, Alonso blasted 22 home runs, driving in 48 rbi. Alonso hosted his second annual Night of Comedy this past Monday night and addressed the injury saying, “I feel great. I know it looks bad with the splint but l’m feeling excellent so I’m gonna get back out there as soon as possible.”
 
After last season, the Mets were picked by many to win the National League East. They were swept by the Braves last weekend, losing the last game 13-10. Manager Buck Showalter tried to put a positive spin on the loss. “We couldn’t get outs,” he began. “We used every arrow we had, but we scored 10 runs. I was proud of that. Guys kept punching back.”
 
After the 2-game series, the Yanks look for revenge when they travel to Boston. The Mets host the Cardinals, Astros and Philadelphia.
 
Both teams await the return of Judge and Alonso hoping to put a spark in their respective offenses.