The MLB Playoffs have come to New York for the next week, and the pressure is very different for the two New York teams. For the Mets, they are playing with house money. They have far exceeded expectations given where they were back in May, and barely making it into the post-season as one of the Wild Card teams. This has been a great run and now they play the mighty Dodgers. While losing 9-0 in game 1 was obviously not the desired outcome, remember this is a best of 7-game series and you can handle a blowout loss on the road. No problem. Get the split in game 2, and then you have the next 3 games in New York. The Dodgers are on an impressive pitching streak right now, but streaks come to an end. No worries. Back to work.

For the Yankees, the theme has to be “no excuses.” You have home field for the ALCS and you are basically set up pitching wise for this next round vs. the Guardians. True: Cleveland has a lockdown bullpen, and you would like to have the lead or be very close after 5 innings. On the other hand, the Tigers showed what happens when you see the same relievers game after game. You start to hit them. SU has the reputation of always being pessimistic about the Yankees but it is with good reason. They did not get many style points in the series vs the Royals but as we know, the goal is to advance. Stanton is hitting and luckily the Royals’ manager did not figure out that after Stanton in the Yankees’ lineup, there is no one that should scare you. So he pitched to him with RISP. Not smart.

SU suspects the Guardians will have a better game plan there. While Judge looked lost for much of that series, SU saw enough positive signs in the last game that I predict he will break out this series. Boone may want to move Stanton to cleanup and Wells either 5th or further down in the order. This will be a hard series for the Yankees as Cleveland will put the ball in play, run and play good defense. For the Yankees to win, they need to hit home runs. And a lot of them. Plain and simple.

Rodon in game 1? Ugh. He is certainly better at home and that may be the strategy here, and avoid having him pitch in Cleveland. SU hopes to see Gil start one of these games. The expectations from the fans are huge and all of New York wants to see a Subway Series (as opposed to the rest of the country). The Mets will have fun. The Yankees? Buckle up.

SU sees both series going the full 7 games. Here’s hoping for a Subway Series. Why not?