In some ways, this weekend’s Subway Series could’ve been about the Mets taking over this baseball town. They came to the Yankees’ house toting their free agent prize, Juan Soto, pried from the Bronx last winter, along with a terrific pitching staff, a star shortstop and a better record. Maybe even better buzz citywide.
But the series ended and the Mets certainly didn’t look like the better team, especially after Sunday’s thud of a performance, an 8-2 loss that went kablooey in the eighth inning after Pete Alonso made a horrendous throw at first that allowed the go-ahead run to score, tilting a tight game.
A few months from now, the Mets might be the better team and they’re so talented, that an October stage should be their ultimate proving ground. The 29-18 Mets lost two of three, but still have a better record than the Yankees (27-19).
Soto moving to Queens for a 15-year, $765-million deal gave a forever jolt to the rivalry. Never had a player anywhere close to his stature left the Yankees for the Mets. He instantly gave a good team an even bigger, better vibe.
But he’s got to do more. He’s batting .246 with eight home runs and 20 RBI. His .822 OPS over a slow start — for him — shows how high his floor is. His first foray into the Subway Series as a Met was, to say the least, a disappointment.
NEW YORK SPORTS THIS WEEK 