The New York Mets will face the New York Yankees in three games in The Bronx beginning Friday. Every Subway Series has some element of enmity, but this one will be unique. Juan Soto enjoyed a career year with the Yankees last year before signing a historic contract with the Mets this offseason. He knows that the Bronx faithful would not let him forget his decision. He spoke with Jon Heyman of the New York Post before going to Yankee Stadium.
“It’s going to be 50,000 against one,” Soto told Heyman, according to ESPN. “They’ll attempt to get on me, you know. It is part of it. They are free to do whatever they choose.”
The Yankees and the Mets entered into a bidding battle for Soto this offseason, which Steve Cohen won with a $765 million contract. Hal Steinbrenner offered a 16-year, $760 million deal, which lost to $765 million over 15 years. Soto struggled at first as he adjusted to a new squad and arena, but has since taken off.
Soto’s swing was designed specifically for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. Last year, he posted a.960 OPS in 77 games in the Bronx, which was lower than his road OPS of 1.017. But the Yankees and their fans understand what they’re up against in Soto.
In this series, the Yankees’ top two pitchers will make starts.
Carlos Rodon had four strong starts until a weak performance versus the Athletics. On Friday, however, he has an excellent opportunity to win over Yankee supporters. The AL Cy Young frontrunner, Max Fried, will then compete on Sunday, hoping to build on his strong start.
On Friday, Yankees supporters will call Soto out for choosing Queens over the Bronx. The Mets’ new star would want to calm them down with another Yankee Stadium home run.
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