Through the end of May, the Yankees were the American’s League best team, at 40-19, and appeared flawless. Their starting pitching was the best in baseball. Their offense featured the two MVP front-runners. Clay Holmes’ ERA was 1.48.
The Yankees (52-28) are still in first place in the AL East and probably will be fine, but several injuries and a downturn in play this month have raised several questions about the team’s viability, particularly in October.
Through the end of May, the Mets were the third-worst team in the entire National League, at 24-33, and appeared flawed in every area. Their starting pitching consistently did not last long enough into games, a problem that infected their bullpen. Their core group of position players — Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor — each were hitting far below their norms. Brett Baty was their everyday third baseman and did not look much like one.
The Mets (37-39) are still not quite in playoff position, but they have moved to just one game back of a wild-card spot and are no longer shoo-ins to be trade-deadline sellers. Their offense has been baseball’s best in June — a group that features new everyday third baseman Mark Vientos — their pitching has mostly stabilized (or at least it had before Edwin Diaz’s sticky-stuff ejection in Sunday’s eventful ninth inning) and they have won 13 of 17.
