4 Takeaways From A Special Subway Series In The Bronx

NEW YORK – The schedule makers at Major League Baseball got it right this year, arranging for the Metro Series to take place during the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. After an emotional pregame ceremony before Friday’s series opener, it took no time at all for the melancholy feelings to roll in.

The Yankee Stadium PA announcer began his pregame introductions, revealed that Juan Soto was batting second and playing left field, and over 40,000 fans loudly cheered the former Yankee as if he should be on the short list as the greatest traitor in American history.

And we were out.

The Yankees (86-63) are in the midst of an important run, trying to overtake the Tampa Bay Rays and win the AL East. The Mets have nothing to play for in another losing season, but they had no problem spoiling the Yankees’ fun.

In the end, the Bronx Bombers took two of three from the Amazins, but they are still four games behind the Rays for the division title. The Mets, who have been on a roll since the trade deadline, showed glimpses of their future potential during the rough weekend.

Let’s dive into four foods from a Bronx subway special series.

1. Gerrit Cole has a home run problem

Once upon a time Yankees ace Gerrit Cole can officially pass that torch to Cam Schlittler after another disappointing outing. Cole was only able to complete 4 ⅓ innings Saturday against a Mets team that is racing just to avoid a last-place finish. Worse yet, the veteran right-hander has allowed seven home runs in his last 11 ⅓ innings — and his whiff rate has plummeted.

Cole’s 24.6% strikeout rate is the lowest it has been since 2017 with the Pirates (23.1%). His home run rate (4.2%) is the highest of his career in a full season. With Schlittler, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon all dealing and performing well in the bullpen, it’s fair to say that Cole is the biggest concern in the Yankees starting staff as we head into October.

“One direct observation is that hitters are seeing the ball well and being able to hit it well, regardless of the type of pitch or location,” Cole said when asked why he has struggled with the long ball. “This is one of those times of the season where you have to start making adjustments. Sometimes adjustments are difficult, but that’s the demand of the game.”

Although Cole has a 5.96 ERA over his last four outings (22.2 innings), he has had a solid season overall in his return from Tommy John surgery. The 36-year-old owns a 3.67 ERA and has logged 117 strikeouts in 20 starts and 115 ⅓ innings this year, his most innings since 2023. In that context, it’s logical to assume Cole’s arm could be taxing at this point in the season. When asked, Cole dismissed the idea and said he felt healthy. He claimed he just needs to make an adjustment between starts, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone reiterated that if there’s anyone he’s not worried about, it’s Cole.

However, with just two weeks left in the regular season, this is the worst time for Cole to start spiraling. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman didn’t acquire any pitchers, starters or relievers, at the trade deadline, in part because of his faith in veteran arms like Cole. The 2023 Cy Young Award winner must find a way to turn it around — and quickly — because giving the ball to the team after short innings is not a strategy for success.

2. The Yankees’ inconsistent bullpen is a concern

Right-hander Paul Blackburn, who has recently climbed the ladder in Boone’s circle of faith, has faded of late. He loaded the bases and allowed a run to score in the seventh inning Friday before Boone called on lefty Brent Headrick to provide the final out of the inning. Then Headrick, who is also one of the few high-leverage arms in New York’s bullpen, copied Blackburn’s shaky performance and loaded the bases with one out in the eighth.

The Yankees had no choice but to go to their closer, David Bednar, for a five-out save — against a Mets team that is arguably the most disappointing club in baseball this season. Bednar got the job done, though, after allowing a leadoff home run to Mets shortstop AJ Ewing in the ninth that cut the Yankees’ lead to two runs. Bednar has been outstanding this season, posting a 2.66 ERA and 34 saves in 59 appearances. It’s the rest of the relief corps that has a ton of questions right now.

Although the Yankees pulled out a win in the series opener, it’s troubling that their leads are never safe with such an inconsistent pitching, especially with a lack of reliable high-leverage arms. Right-hander Fernando Cruz was Boone’s starter before going on the injured list with a partial tear in his right UCL in late August. Cruz is on track to avoid surgery, but it’s still a long shot that he’ll be back this season.

There is help on the way. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt is nearing his return from his second career Tommy John surgery. He could join the Yankees on their next road trip. Left-hander Ryan Weathers (left forearm flexor strain) is also expected back before the end of the regular season. Both Schmidt and Weathers will likely move to the bullpen in October, and the Yankees have no choice but to cross their fingers and hope they have a smooth transition and clear up some of the relief concerns.

3. Thornton emerges as promising young Mets arm

One of the most prolific players in the sport was at his peak, and Mets shortstop Zac Thornton didn’t flinch. In the first game, before an 0-2 count against Aaron Judge, Thornton challenged the reigning AL MVP with a 95.5 mph fastball. It was the hardest pitch Thornton has thrown this season. The umpire froze and watched the heater sail past him to hit three.

The Mets’ rookie southpaw continued the same energy and aggression all day Saturday in the Mets’ dominating 12-2 victory over the Yankees. Thornton pitched seven strong innings and allowed just two earned runs on five hits while striking out four and walking one on just 81 pitches. The Yankees were impressed with the 24-year-old’s talent.

“He does a really good job of keeping a fast pace, attacking different parts of the zone, keeping guys off balance,” Yankees shortstop Spencer Jones said. “I think he just did a good job of limiting hard contact and preventing guys from getting started early, and he had a lot of success today.”

When it looked like Thornton was tiring in the seventh after putting two men on base, Mets manager Andy Green went to the mound and Thornton told him to let him in, he was going out. Of course, Thornton got Anthony Volpe to ground into a double play to escape the game unscathed.

Saturday’s outing, Thornton’s 13th start of his major league career, was a fantastic comeback effort after he allowed six earned runs in five innings for the Giants in his last outing. Afterwards, Thornton said, “I think I shine when my back is against the wall. I try to rise to the occasion.”

Thornton joins the Mets’ list of young arms along with righties Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as promising options for next year’s rotation. It’s a good thing, too, because Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns will have a hard time finding a reliable starter on this winter’s free agent list — beyond the prime available arm in Tarik Skubal. To seriously contend next season, Stearns and the Mets need their trio of young players to take the next step forward as soon as 2027. Thornton is the latest Mets pitcher who looks like he’s up for the challenge.

4. Judge still looking for his time

The Yankees lineup is happy to have the team’s best hitter back from the injured list. The difference in performance from the top of the lineup, especially, was obvious.

With Judge in the middle of the order, the batters around had better balls to hit throughout the Subway Series, and the Yankees capitalized. As encouraging as the Yankees’ offense has been throughout their six-game stretch against the bottom-dwellers like the Rockies and Mets, it was equally clear that Judge is still looking for his time.

This is to be expected.

Judge returned from IL on Tuesday after a three-month layoff due to a fractured right rib. He was completely shut out of baseball activities for most of that layoff, and only recently began to step up and face live games. Judge opted to forego a rehab assignment so he could return to the lineup and help the Yankees in their pennant run. Instead of getting his time back in the minor leagues, Judge is still looking for it in the major leagues. Making that task more difficult, the Yankees stuck to their plan for Judge and pulled him early from some games while giving him a full day off in another.

The 34-year-old is 3-for-14 with one walk, one run scored and six strikeouts in four games since coming out of IL. He’s still looking for his first home run, RBI and extra-base hit since May. He still has some time to look like himself at the plate, but the Yankees would prefer if Judge could at least get some playing time by the time they host the Rays in an important four-game series in the Bronx next week.

When I asked Judge if he felt like he was still in spring training, he said, “I don’t have time for spring training. I’ve got to fire it up here soon. And I will.”