The Subway Series kicks off this Friday in the Bronx, marking Juan Soto’s first game after leaving the Yankees. It’s likely he won’t receive the warmest welcome. Meanwhile, both teams are battling to maintain their standings within their divisions. Let’s take a closer look at how they match up.
At the Plate
On Base Counts
Aaron Judge continues to shine, contributing to a season where players are reaching base nearly half the time they step up, reminiscent of Barry Bonds in his prime. This success is a big reason the Yankees are leading in on-base percentage. Paul Goldschmidt has also revived his performance, helping alleviate some of the pressure from Giancarlo Stanton’s struggles. Over on the Mets’ side, Pete Alonso has become more discerning at the plate, showing a marked improvement from last season, despite not quite matching Soto’s past offensive output since joining the Mets. Francisco Lindor has shifted to the leadoff position this year, trying to solidify the lineup.
Advantage: Yankees
Power Play
Once again, Aaron Judge leads the way. Even Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers hasn’t matched Judge’s power this season. Without Judge, Alonso’s impressive start would likely garner more attention. Both teams rank high in slugging percentages this season, with Trent Grisham’s unexpected power surge adding to the excitement. Cody Bellinger hasn’t quite regained his past power levels, particularly at Yankee Stadium, though he’s been performing well lately. In terms of Soto, he hasn’t shown the same power he did last year, but as he returns to familiar territory, he might face a chilly reception from Yankees fans. Vientos has struggled to replicate his prior success, falling short of last season’s 27 homers.
