4 vs. 7: Subway Series 2013

The most wonderful time of the baseball season is back in action this evening on Memorial Day in Flushing, Queens, as the Yankees will travel down to play the Mets at Citi Field for a two game away and home series in the next four days. Now, nothing compares to the Yanks/Sawx rivalry, but the Subway Series represents bragging rights. The Yanks have been the better team for a few decades, but the performance from the players are enhanced to a more professional skill. These two boroughs of the Queens and Bronx resemble the only remaining New York rivalry in baseball. It has been nearly sixty years since the Brooklyn Dodgers fought against Manhattan's New York Giants, and with the Bronx Bombers as well. We all remember the World Series match-ups between the three teams in numerous scenarios. These three teams were not only a few miles apart; they were the dominant clubs of the league. What makes a rivalry so special is the rich history between the loyal fans and teams. The Mets replaced the Dodgers in the nineteen-sixties, and the Mets have brought new generations of fans into their fan base to this day. Since the World Series title won in 1986, it seems as if the Mets have been cursed with failure and defeat. In 1999, they were inches away from returning to the Fall Classic, and in 2000, the Subway Series was renewed with a Yankee victory in five games. Yankees and Mets fan hate each other, but also show respect towards one another. Luckily, the Mets have not been able to brag because of the lack of talent, and personally, I've grown tired of making fun of the Mets. They're a lousy club and I have nothing left to say about them. All I can say is that if you love your team, you will stay true to them through hardship. New York Met's fans are as loyal as a baseball fan can be. Their time will come soon, you just need to keep the faith.

It's never a bad time to play the Mets, but with Hughes and Phelps pitching
two of the four games, I can't help but to be a little skeptical. The Yanks get to see rookie phenom Matt Harvey this week, and I'm excited  to see this kid's bag of tricks on the rubber. Hopefully there will be no more injuries (knock on wood), and that these games will be high scoring for some nice Memorial Day fun for the fans. Go Yanks! Muck the Fets!

A salute to all the veterans who have served for our country to protect our freedoms. God Bless America. Thank you.

APRIL REPORT: 16-10

With the injuries to Jeter, Teixeira, Granderson, and A-Rod (to name a few), the Yankees have done a tremendous and admirable job battling through adversity. With a lineup of Lyle Overbay and Brennan Boesch, the Bombers looked weak. Luckily, to our surprise, players have stepped up, as the rotation continues its dominance and the lineup hits safely consistently. With many of the Yanks' superstars returning by mid-May, it's important to give credit where credit is due. Here's a quick rundown of April.

TOP PERFORMER: Travis Hafner

In a million years, I would have never expected a player signed by the Yanks with a veteran salary to contribute so much to a ball club. Pronk is tied for third in homers (6), along with a batting average of .318 with 17 RBI. The man's a fan favorite so far, but we must be practical; the guy is injury prone, even if he is only swinging a bat and running bases. Hey Cashman? Great Success!

WORST PERFORMER: Phil Hughes

This guy simply can't catch a break. Hughes is only 0-2, but has a 4.67 ERA in five starts, and loves to give up the long ball (Hughes gave up 3 home runs to Orioles batters on 4/13). It's early, I know. He's returning from a back injury, yada-yada-yada I've heard it all. Long story short, there never comes a time, even against the worst team in the league, that I feel comfortable with Hughes on the rubber. Don't judge, I know that I'm right on this one. 

DID MO EVER LEAVE?

Rivera is back to his normal ways; he has ten saves this month with an ERA under one. Mo set a personal best record for the most saves in the first month of this season. No one wants to recollect Rivera falling on the warning track in Kansas City, but this man is immortal. Mo has returned as if he never left the game. His velocity remains in the low nineties, and performs consistently like he always has. Well done #42, you prove your HOF worthiness every pitch. We will miss you so badly next year. 

W2W4

With the key players returning in a few weeks, expect the platoon players to "up their skills" in the field and at the plate. These guys were signed for a brief period of time, so expect them to be playing for a job in the pros. Interleague play begins this month, as the Yanks renew once again the Subway Series against their bitter rival across the borough, the New York Mets. Four games during the last week of May (starting Memorial Day) will be split into a two game home-and-home series for both clubs. The Yanks invite Oakland and Seattle to the Stadium for the only time this season, and also face Colorado, Kansas City, and Baltimore. I expect a solid thirty days out of the Yanks, considering that the schedule is far less intimidating than what we expected last month. Prediction: 16-12 (33-22, 2nd East)