JULIAN FARRUGIA (11) | STAFF REPORTER
In April, the two best teams in the MLB are just 11 kilometres away from each other. On some days, New Yorkers can take in a Mets game at Citi Field, and take the subway to a later game in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees play.
After an exciting offseason, in which the Mets spent around $310 million, the Mets started strong, leaving many fans to believe that they are back from the dead. For years, it has been nothing but pain for the Mets, as their last World Series appearance came in 2015, and their last World Series championship came in 1986. Among their stars, this year includes newly acquired star pitcher Max Scherzer, who is off to 4 wins and 0 losses in his first 5 starts this season. Pitcher Tylor Megill is also off to a strong start, also with 4 wins and 0 losses. Star first baseman Pete Alonso leads the team in runs batted in, with 18. The Mets were tied for the second-best record in the National League, even without their superstar pitcher Jacob DeGrom, who is out with a right shoulder injury.
Meanwhile in the Bronx, after a disappointing offseason and an even more disappointing start to the season, the Yankees have turned the tables. It all starts with the home run hitting, as the Yanks lead the league in homers, led by Anthony Rizzo, who leads the league in home runs with 9. Though the Yankees bats started slow, the Yankees’ bullpen has been the best in baseball. Young stars Jonathan Loaisiga and Michael King have been the most trustworthy arms out of the Yankees’ bullpen. Out of all MLB teams (maybe all sports teams), the Yankees have the highest expectations every year, yet they hold a championship drought that dates back to 2009. The Yanks look to hold their strong start and advance to their 6th straight playoffs.
The last time the Mets and Yankees met in a World Series? 2000 was the year, and the Yankees won 4-1. Since 2000, the two teams haven’t had as close a chance like this to meet in the Fall Classic. When the teams met in 2000, spirits were high in New York, as expectations were high as ever in the Big Apple. This year won’t be any different, but we’re only in May, and we have to wait until July to watch the first matchup between these two teams.
