Subway Series: The Best and Worst City Has to Offer

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Heading in Opposite Directions

SUBWAY SERIES

New York Metropolitans

vs.

New York Highlanders

FROM

THE HOUSE THAT GEORGE BUILT

BRONX

With a 39-55 record, playing meaningful games in September is out of the question.  Instead, the Mets head into the second-half tied with the Miami Marlins for last place in the N.L. East.  On a macro level, they need to go 42-26 over the final 68 games of the season just to break even.  On a micro level, anything short of playing .500 baseball from here on out will guarantee them a second straight 90-loss season.  Meanwhile, the non-waiver trade deadline is fast approaching and the Mets have no general manager to speak of.  I suspect John Ricco is merely playing the role of front man, and that Jeff Wilpon is firmly in charge with Omar Minaya mentoring him.  As such, I'm also inclined to believe J.P. Ricciardi, as someone brought into the fold by Sandy Alderson, will not be sticking around beyond this season and already has one foot out the door.  Said another way, the Mets organizational situation is dire, their condition is critical.

At least they catch a break this weekend ...

The Mets will not be facing C.C. Sabathia nor Luis Severino whom pitched in the All-Star Game.  Giving Sabathia an extended vacation is a smart move by the Yankees.  With 18 starts to date, Sabathia is 7-6 with a very respectable 3.51 ERA, and 1.27 WHiP.  He has allowed 98 hits and fanned 77 batters in exactly 100 innings pitched.  He is the Yankees stopper; his forte is preventing losing streaks.  General manager Brian Cashman is under pressure to add another starting pitcher by the deadline, which is exactly why keeping C.C. fresh and in functioning order is in the Yankees best interest.

Otherwise, the Bronx Bombers are living up to their moniker leading the American League in home runs and team slugging en route to a stellar 62-33 record.  Yet, despite their best efforts they remain in second place 4.5 games back of the relentless Boston Red Sox who lead the circuit in total bases, team average, and runs scored.  There has never been a regular season in which both the Yankees and Red Sox each won 100 games.  After 115 years in the circuit together, this might finally be the one.  It's no wonder, then, why minions of the Evil Empire are up in arms faced with potentially having to play a one-game Wild Card playoff.