Yankees, Mets and A Tale Of Two Weekends

As the 2017 season began, the consensus was that the New York Yankees would be around a .500 team for most of the season. The New York Mets, on the other hand, were expected to rule the town. By the time the last pitch is thrown in early November, that very well might be the case. However, in the early goings, especially over the past weekend, the tables have been turned.

The Yankees' shaky starting pitching was anything but, with starters Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia--and Luis Severino on Thursday--pitching like aces. While the Mets' big three of Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey all had great outings over the weekend as well, they each had nothing to show for it. The Mets bullpen betrayed all three.

Which just goes to show you: Major League Baseball is a lot different than it used to be. If you don't have an outstanding bullpen you won't get very far, no matter how elite your starters are. This usually means the back-end of the 'pen, but lately it has also meant the middle relievers, traditionally a weaker link in the chain. Just look at guys like Bryan Mitchell, Jonathan Holder and Adam Warren. Especially Warren, who has yet to give up a run this young season. 

The Yankees bullpen overall has given up fewer runs than that of every other team in the Majors. It is definitely one of the reasons for this team's seven-game winning streak.  Though Pineda, Sabathia and Severino didn't really need middle relief during their most recent outings, their history dictates that they will. It's good to know that, whenever that need arises, the confidence will be there when the call is answered.

Up next: the White Sox. Keep the line moving, Jordan Montgomery!