Mets dominate Yankees to start Subway Series: 3 takeaways from Game 1 in New York

The New York Mets were able to take Game 1 of the Subway Series against the Yankees. Here are three takeaways from the contest.

The time has finally arrived, that is when the fanbases of both professional baseball teams in New York argue who is the better team — the Yankees or the Mets? The 2022 Subway Series is much more exciting than in year’s past, as both teams hold first place in their respective divisions and could be very active at the trade deadline (Aug. 2).

On July 26, the Mets faithful got the right to brag early, as their team defeated the Yankees by the score of 6-3.

Here are three things that stood out in Game 1 of the Subway Series.

Mets beat Yankees: 3 takeaways from Game 1 in the Subway series

Pete Alonso was a Yankee killer in Game 1

Remember when Mets first baseman Pete Alonso had a slash line of .150/.239/.417 through 16 games against the Yankees entering Tuesday night? Well, those numbers are going to increase, because Alonso was a thorn in the side of the Bronx Bombers.

In the bottom of the first inning, Alonso stepped into the batters’ box with the Mets trailing 2-1 and Francisco Lindor on second base. Alonso was able to drive in Lindor on a double off of Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery to tie things up. He himself was then taken home on a two-run homer by Eduardo Escobar.

As for the rest of the night, Alonso was walked in the third inning, and hit a single in the fifth and eighth innings. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on the night.

We shall see if he can continue to improve his head-to-head stats against the Yankees on Wednesday night.

Yankees need more bats to show up

The Yankees seemingly were in store for a great night at Citi Field. In the top of the first inning, outfielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit back-to-back home runs off Mets starter Taijuan Walker to take an early 2-0 lead. Then Montgomery, who rarely got run support from his teammates during his starts over the years, surrendered four runs in the first inning.

After that, there was not much done by New York, save for the ground out by D.J. LeMahieu that allowed Aaron Hicks to score. Gleyber Torres went 0-for-4 and struck out twice. Josh Donaldson went 0-for-4. Matt Carpenter, the home run king for the Yankees, also went 0-for-4.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa was one of the more effective hitters on the night, going 2-for-3 at the plate. But in the eighth inning, he was pulled in favor of pinch-hitter Joey Gallo, who was batting .162 entering the game. Gallo faced off against Mets closer Edwin Diaz. That went as well as you would expect — like Eli Apple trying to defend Cooper Kupp in the end zone at the end of Super Bowl 56. And Gallo was not Cooper Kupp.

The Yankees’ lengthy lead in the American League is dwindling. They need the bats to come to life. If not, Brian Cashman needs to bring in some hitters at the trade deadline if they want to win the AL pennant for the first time since 2009.

Mets bullpen could be the X-factor

The Mets showed one of their greatest strengths, and that was the back-half of the bullpen.

Once Walker was pulled after six innings, Buck Showalter brought reliever and former Yankee Adam Ottavino. Things did look a bit shaky upon his entrance, as he allowed a single to Judge and hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch. Yet, he was able to get out of the jam after Rizzo was caught stealing second base and forcing Torres to pop out.

In the top of the eighth, Ottavino forced Carpenter to fly out and Donaldson to ground out. Following a five-pitch walk to Hicks, Showalter decided to bring in closer Edwin Diaz for the four-out save. He made easy work of Gallo, striking him out on five pitches to end the inning.

Even though Diaz surrendered a single to catcher Jose Trevino and watched as Judge reached on a fielder’s choice, he was able to punch out three batters to end the game and give the Mets the victory. Diaz now has 22 saves and carries a 1.55 ERA through 41 games.

With the trade deadline approaching, the Mets should add another arm to really bolster the bullpen, especially with the way Diaz has been pitching at the end of games.