1-2 Punch Gives New York Hope

The All Star break is beyond us and things are looking bleak for New York baseball this season, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. New York was as excited as it's ever been for this baseball season but injuries and below average play has plagued both teams leading each fan base to question if either will even be playing meaningful baseball this October.

The Yankees opened the betting season right after the World Series ended, at 9 to 1 odds to win the World Series, second to only the Astros in the American League and 4th overall. The Mets were right on their tail with 10 to 1 odds, trailing only the Braves and Dodgers in the NL. The Mets then added pieces in the offseason and shot up the boards. Optimism was very high in New York.

As we exit the All Star break though neither team has lived up to expectations. The Mets sit at 90 to 1 to win it all and the Yankees are at 14 to 1. There is hope though for both New York teams and it's for the same reason ... pitching wins in the postseason. Both the Yankees and the Mets made big moves to secure their pitching staffs this offseason and more importantly came into the year with a dominant 1-2 punch. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer represented two ace starters, who both had winning pedigrees. While the Yankees added Carlos Rodon to Gerritt Cole to form an ominous 1-2 punch in the AL.

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Because of injuries neither has given their teams a real look as to what this can be in October, but both still have the talent to scare opposing teams. There are a lot of "if's" in order to get to the postseason, but those if's can turn into hope. If either team is able to get into October baseball their offseason moves can now carry the day. A 1-2 punch in the playoffs is as dangerous as anything you can bring to the table and both New York teams have that 1-2. Now, it's all about sneaking in.