The American League continued its All Star dominance with a 5-2 win at Coors Field making it 8 straight wins and 15th victory in the last 18 tilts as they combined solid pitching with timely hitting to take the Mid Summer Classic.
Shohei Ohtani started the game with a scoreless first inning while his AL teammates–Vladimir Guerrero JR (The game’s MVP) and Mike Zunino went yard. They also got a key defensive play from from Jared Walsh to keep the National League off the scoreboard.
All eyes were on Ohtani as he threw a 1-2-3 inning against Fernando Tatis Jr, Max Muncy and Nolan Arenado eclipsing 100 MPH on the radar gun in that first frame. It was a surreal moment seeing a player lead off the game in the batters box and then fire a triple digit fastball in the bottom of that frame.
But this game also featured a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home run that traveled 468 feet that was the longest dinger in All Star game history proving the chromosomes of his dad are firmly entrenched in his baseball soul. He joined Bobby and Barry Bonds as well as Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. as the only father son combos to both hit All Star game homers.
The National League did have chances loading the bases twice but could only muster 1 run on a passed ball after JT Realmuto opened their scoring with a solo homer. Cubs Kris Bryant had a rough night at the plate stranding the bases loaded as he lined out to leftfielder Jared Walsh who caught his line shot with a sliding grab thwarting any chance for the National League team.
For the Mets and Yankees it is a return to reality as the Bronx Bombers open up a key series against the Red Sox in the Bronx on Thursday which could define where their season is heading. Meanwhile the Mets will try to extend their 3.5 game lead in the NL East tangling with the Pirates and Reds on the road before returning to Citi for an 11 game homestand with the Jays, Braves and Reds.
For the Yankees, they simply must take 3 of 4 from the Bosox at the very least as their first half was disappointing and inconsistent especially losing their last 6 vs the Red Sox. The Mets on the other hand have a bit of a cushion in the NL East but must take advantage of the Pirates and Reds on the road as their NL East colleagues face some tough matchups. The Braves tangle with the Rays and the Padres this week while the Nats continue their run of playing West Coast teams hosting the Padres this weekend.
The good news for the Mets is it is very possible they will see Carlos Carrasco before the end of the month with JD Davis not far behind from returning as well. Once those 2 players return, this team will as healthy as can be and those bodies will be fresh additions to a first place team.
Of course, this month also carries us to the trading deadline as the Mets are fully expected to be buyers while the Yankees are in that grey area and this 10 game stretch the Bronx Bombers have with 8 vs the Bosox and 2 versus the Phils could very well decide that buyer vs seller debate the Yankees are currently internally debating.