3 Takeaways from the Mets’ sweep of the New York Yankees

MLB: New York Yankees at New York Mets
Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

After taking two out of three games from the Chicago Cubs, the Mets returned back to Citi Field to welcome the rival New York Yankees to town for the first two games of the Subway Series.

The Mets’ bats pounced on the reigning American League Cy-Young winner, Gerrit Cole, scoring six runs on the Yankees ace to take an early 6-0 lead, with two of those runs coming off solo shots from Mark Vientos

The blue and orange tacked three on in the bottom of the sixth, and despite the Yankees’ best efforts, including an eighth-inning grand slam from Aaron Judge, the Mets took game one 9-7.

The Mets’ bats stayed hot against Luis Gil, scoring five on the Yankees’ breakout starter as they went on to win 12-2, securing the two-game sweep.

Harrison Bader gets revenge against his former squad

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, harrison bader
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After being allowed to walk in free agency, Harrison Bader showed the Bronx Bombers that they may have made a mistake in letting him go.

Bader went 4-for-9 against the Yankees with two home runs and four RBIs while scoring three times and recording a stolen base.

With Starling Marte hurt, the 30-year-old will be slotted in the lineup daily and can snatch a permanent starting role with less variability if he can continue to perform. 

Adrian Houser has turned into a weapon out of the Mets’ bullpen

Apr 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets pitcher Adrian Houser (35) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports

In recent franchise history, it hasn’t worked out when the Mets have demoted a pitcher to the bullpen. However, the move to put the struggling Adrian Houser there may have been a stroke of genius.

Houser pitched three innings, allowing just a pair of hits and no runs while striking out three and picking up his career save.

The 31-year-old’s ability to give the Mets length and be effective in leverage situations has made him quite the weapon.

Francisco Álvarez won’t stop producing

Jun 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) gestures after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

After shaking off the cobwebs in Texas and hitting the cover off the ball in Chicago, Francisco Álvarez brought his scorching bat back with him to Flushing.

Álvarez appeared twice in the series, going 4-for-5 with a double, home run, three RBIs, scoring three runs and three walks.

The Venezuelan native is seeing baseball so well during the Mets’ recent run of success and seems to be living up to all the potential that the prospect evaluators knew he had.

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