Yankees, Mets Struggle in Crucial Subway Series at Citi Field

The New York Yankees and Mets, once division leaders, enter their second Subway Series matchup amid significant struggles, both teams having recently lost their division leads. The Yankees have experienced a sharp decline, losing 14 of 20 games and facing issues with defensive errors and bullpen reliability, despite Aaron Judge's continued MVP-level performance. The Mets are in a similar slump, dropping 14 of 18 games and suffering from the worst pitching ERA in baseball since mid-June, compounded by injuries to key pitchers including their Friday starter, Paul Blackburn. Juan Soto, who struggled earlier in the season and during his return to Yankee Stadium, has rebounded strongly with impressive offensive numbers in June, highlighting a key point of interest for fans. Both teams are under mounting pressure from fans and media as they seek to regain momentum in this high-stakes rivalry. The upcoming series at Citi Field is seen as an opportunity for both clubs to overcome their recent slumps and reestablish themselves in their respective divisions.