New York Yankees vs New York Mets: Which Team Will Have Better 2015 MLB Season?
The New York Yankees and New York Mets may play in separate leagues in MLB, but they're separated by less than 10 miles.
The Yankees have dominated the Bronx since 1923, whereas Queens has been home to the Mets since 1964. These two clubs have made it clear for a long time, they don't like each other.
The pinnacle of this subway series was in 2000, when the two teams faced off in the World Series. The Yankees went on to win that series, four games to one.
The Mets have struggled mightily since then. Since that season, the Mets have made the playoffs just once, which came in 2006, and they've had a losing record the last consecutive years. The last time the Mets had a 100-win season was 1988, two years after defeating the Red Sox in the World Series.
Pitcher Matt Harvey has been the biggest storyline for Mets heading into this season. Harvey began 2013 very well with a 9-5 record and a 2.27 earned runs against average, but injuries caught up to him. Harvey missed all of last season because of Tommy John surgery. In 2013, Harvey finished fourth in NL CY Young voting, and Mets fans are hoping he will return better than ever.
Offense is a bigger concern for the Mets. Last season, they ranked 22nd in hits and 20th in home runs. Lucas Duda hit a career high 30 home run last season, and Daniel Murphy is the team's best on base hitter. Still, the Mets will have to improve their overall scoring output to compete with the Washington Nationals' elite pitching staff.
As for the Pinstripes, they, too, have some work to do. The Yankees have missed the postseason the last two consecutive seasons, and this year will be tough. The Bronx Bombers will be without future Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter, and Ichiro Suzuki is now with the Miami Marlins; that's two of the Yankees' top five hitters from last season. Alex Rodriguez is finally set to return after missing all of last season, and the Yankees will need his bat to win the American League East.
So much focus has been put on the Yankees' offense, but manager Joe Girardi is confident in his pitchers. Masahiro Tanaka had a fantastic rookie season last year, and he is expected to be the Opening Day starter come April 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Dominican pitchers Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova have received high praise from Girardi as well. They will be counted on very much this season, especially with C.C. Sabathia not showing much promise.
The Baltimore Orioles are the defending AL East champions, but the Boston Red Sox have been reloading with free agent talent. The Red Sox signed Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval this offseason to help boost the roster, so the Yankees' road to a division title won't be easy.
Neither the Yankees or the Mets play in a soft division.
The first time we will see these two teams collide this season will be on April 24 in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees and Mets will meet up again on Sep. 18 in another three-game series, this time at Citi Field.
Neither the Yankees or Mets look like an elite team ready to make a World Series run, but an underrated pitching staff brings high hopes to both fan bases. Even if another championship isn't brought to New York City this coming season, it's always big bragging rights on which borough has the better season.
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