Three takeaways for Mets after Subway Series
Francisco Lindor of the Mets connects for a two-run single in the fifth inning against the Yankees at Citi Field on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
It didn’t look good, this series with the Yankees. They were battling injuries, pitching was scarce and they often had to use a hodgepodge of relievers to get through the game. Nevertheless, they won two of three.
Here are three takeaways from the latest edition of the Subway Series:
1. Their grit is showing
The Mets easily could have looked at a three-game set that included Justin Hagenman’s first major-league start against a potent lineup Friday and a bullpen game Sunday and thought the odds were too long. Instead, despite a June that truly tested their mettle, they rose to the occasion more than once.
“It was a hell of a series,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday. “Even on a day like today, the guys fought back, we got down and they kept fighting. I thought the at-bats were there throughout the whole game and yeah, we just came up short today, but whether it’s guys coming off the bench . . . guys coming from the bullpen keeping it close and giving the offense a chance — overall, not only today but the whole series, I’m proud of those guys.”
2. The bats are alive
After a month that featured a significant swoon from Francisco Lindor and lack of production from most of the bottom of the lineup, the Mets’ big bats fully made their presence felt, even in their 6-4 loss Sunday.
As a team, they batted .300 (30-for-100) with six homers, including a grand slam by Brandon Nimmo and a two-homer day by Pete Alonso on Saturday, in the three-game stretch. They’ve recorded at least 10 hits 28 times this year, including three times in the last three days.
“The important thing is that we continue, one through nine, to get good at-bats,” Mendoza said. “When we’re controlling the strike zone as a team, we’re dangerous.”
3. The cavalry is coming . . . soon-ish
The Mets may be in line for some major returns from the injured list this week, and none too soon. Jesse Winker, who suffered an oblique injury on May 4, played in his second straight rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and could return as soon as Tuesday, Mendoza said. Kodai Senga (hamstring) could start for the Mets as soon as this weekend in Kansas City, and if Sean Manaea (oblique) comes out of his Tuesday rehab start well, he’ll be in play for Sunday.
If there was one cause for concern, it came in the form of Starling Marte, who was examined by trainers in the ninth inning Sunday when his knee flared up. He was being further evaluated after the game.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
