3 Up, 3 Down: Mets Are The Kings Of New York

The New York Mets are officially the kings of New York City.

The team from Queens won both games against the Yankees in the Bronx, sweeping the season Subway series for the first time since 2013.

In doing so, the Mets really proved their playoff credentials in a big way. There’s still a lot of baseball to be played, but the Mets, as is currently constituted, look legit. They could be even better with some more bullpen help.

New York is now in sole possession of the second Wild Card spot in the National League. The Mets are also just a game and a half behind the Braves.

Life is pretty damn good if you follow the team based in Queens right now. And, on that note, let’s dive right into the Subway Series edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP 

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Mets fans have had to watch their team live in the shadows of the Yankees forever. From the day dot, the Yanks have always had top billing in New York City. That’s just the way it has always been. But, after sweeping the 2024 Subway Series and with the once Evil Empire seemingly in downfall, the city belongs to the Mets for now. And we will savor that and enjoy that for as long as it lasts. What makes this success against the cross-town neighbors all the more sweeter is the fact that the Mets absolutely dominated the Yankees in four games, outscoring their rivals 36-14. These Mets look legit and now have the local bragging rights to boot.

MVP CONTENDER

If not for his infamous slow starts, Francisco Lindor may have the National League MVP already wrapped up. Okay, so that is being slightly hyperbolic. However, the point stands that Lindor is playing at an elite level right now, and he deserves to be in the MVP conversation. Period. The star shortstop went off against the Yankees on Wednesday night, blasting two home runs with five RBIs and two runs scored. Lindor is the straw that stirs the drink for the Mets offense. He’s hitting .256/.336/.464 with a .800 OPS, 19 home runs and 55 RBIs. Lindor is only the second player in baseball to have recorded at least 20 homers and 20 stolen bases, behind Shohei Ohtani.

Lindor also ranks third in fWAR (4.9) in the National League behind Elly De La Cruz (5.1) and Ohtani (5.3). Furthermore, Lindor’s eight outs above average ranks third among MLB shortstops. Granted, Ohtani is probably still the favorite to win the NL MVP once all is said and done. But, having elevated his game and carried this team since moving to the leadoff spot, Lindor deserves to be in the discussion at the very least.

CLUTCH HEROICS 

Most Mets fans, if not all, have probably cussed out Jake Diekman at some point this year. The lefty has not had a good year, to put it mildly. Entering the Subway Series, Diekman’s ERA stood at an ugly 5.28, while he had issued 23 walks. To make matters worse, Diekman was going up against a lethal two-headed monster in Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, armed with just a one-run lead on Tuesday night.

Well, baseball can be a pretty strange game. And we saw plenty of evidence of this in the ninth inning. Against all odds, Diekman was able to get the job done. Despite walking Soto, and with the tying run on base, he mustered his best stuff of the year to strike out Judge – and then retire Ben Rice – to end the game to the shock of all those inside Yankee Stadium. It was dramatic baseball at its very best. Furthermore, Diekman’s defiant staredown of Judge – one of the best hitters in the game – could go down as one of the defining images of the year if the Mets can accomplish something special this year.

3 DOWN

MAN DOWN

The Mets have seemingly avoided the worst-case scenario with rookie starter Christian Scott. But that doesn’t mean the overall situation still isn’t bad. The young righty will be shut down for two weeks with a sprained UCL. Again, complete disaster avoided.

However, UCLs can be funny old things, and Scott’s return timescale will depend on how he responds to rest and treatment over the next couple of weeks. The Mets were already going to have to be careful with their young starter’s workload, and this setback raises the stakes. Tommy John surgery could still be an option, too. If Scott doesn’t respond well and needs surgery, that will put even more pressure on the returning Kodai Senga to help keep this rotation afloat.

NOT GOING THE DISTANCE

The reason why Scott’s absence – no matter how long or short – is so concerning is the fragile nature of the rest of the rotation. We don’t know what to expect from Senga. José Quintana has been up and down this year – he gave up another homer on Tuesday – and Sean Manaea continues to trend downwards. The veteran didn’t even last five innings on Wednesday, giving up a pair of homers and walking four. His lack of length meant an already taxed bullpen had to undertake a large chunk of the workload the rest of the way. Manaea has now given up 10 earned runs in his last three starts. Not exactly what you want from one of the key pieces of your starting rotation.

NIMMO STRUGGLES

It’s tough to pick three down in this situation, but Brandon Nimmo went 0-for-9 in the series. The Mets’ stud outfielder is only 2-for-25 with 13 strikeouts in the second half. Strikeouts are up for Nimmo this season, but the home runs and stolen bases are too. I’m willing to bet Nimmo will be just fine in the upcoming four-game series with the Braves.