Surging Mets suddenly look comparable to Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers in early-season shock
NY Post
LOS ANGELES — In the early tale of the tape between MLB’s two best-paid* teams (see below for explanation of exactly who’s first and who’s second), the transition-time Mets look shockingly comparable to the overwhelming World Series-favored Dodgers.
The suddenly streaking Mets are maybe even a little better so far.
A rundown of key categories actually gives a slight and surprising edge to the Mets, who arrived here early Thursday morning for a three-game series feeling pretty good about themselves. Here goes.
Record: The Dodgers were 12-9 coming in, the Mets 10-8. It couldn’t be closer considering the Dodgers played three more games. Edge: Even.
Strength of schedule: The Mets have only played teams that are .500 or better — 18 for 18! — while the Dodgers have played only losers save for a three-game series with the Cubs, which they lost. Edge: Mets.
Overall performance: The Mets had a plus-14 run differential, the Dodgers plus-12. Yep, the celebrity-studded Dodgers are playing no better than the team from Queens, who are aiming for 2025 and beyond. Edge: Even.
Almost a year to the day after a goaltender interference call against Kyle Palmieri lost the Islanders a game against the Blue Jackets that started their season’s death spiral, they were on the wrong end of another controversial call against those same Blue Jackets that might have had the same effect.
On the Queens side of town, the reno began in earnest almost as soon as Francisco Lindor grounded into the 4-6-3 double play. That ended a 4-0 loss before a rare sizable crowd at Miami’s loanDepot Park last Sept. 27, all of them there to witness the final death rattles of an epic baseball calamity.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is being paid handsomely for his breakout season.
Next comes the harder part. Mostly because it can’t get any easier.
It was Kids Day at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, but for the Rangers, it’s been All About The Kids for months.
PORT ST. LUCIE — From the moment he was told he needed surgery on his left hamate bone, Francisco Lindor fixated on the recovery time. Trainers provided the Mets shortstop a six-week pathway to return to play, and Lindor was determined to hit every marker.
Dylan Garand knew the number off the top of his head. He knew that, between the regular season and playoffs, he’d logged over 160 games with AHL Hartford, and he was right. Before the Rangers recalled him Friday, Garand had served as the Wolf Pack’s goaltender 165 times.
SAN DIEGO — As you may have seen elsewhere in this newspaper (and also if you haven’t deleted me yet from your social media), I have a book coming out Tuesday called “The Bosses of The Bronx.” Much of it details the 37 years’ worth of antics, winning, losing, winning again and overall mania of George Steinbrenner’s time with the Yankees.
Don’t close the curtain on “Mean” Joe Greene.
The Knicks are on a five-game winning streak and flooded with concerns.
Dylan Garand knew the number off the top of his head. He knew that, between the regular season and playoffs, he’d logged over 160 games with AHL Hartford, and he was right. Before the Rangers recalled him Friday, Garand had served as the Wolf Pack’s goaltender 165 times.
SAN DIEGO — As you may have seen elsewhere in this newspaper (and also if you haven’t deleted me yet from your social media), I have a book coming out Tuesday called “The Bosses of The Bronx.” Much of it details the 37 years’ worth of antics, winning, losing, winning again and overall mania of George Steinbrenner’s time with the Yankees.
The Knicks are on a five-game winning streak and flooded with concerns.