Yankees’ Aaron Judge compliments Mets, Carlos Mendoza as both teams get closer to potential Subway Series

The Yankees clinched the ALDS and are heading to the ALCS, putting them just four wins away from their first World Series since 2009.

But you know who else is just four wins away from the Fall Classic? The Mets

After the Mets defeated the Phillies in the NLDS on Wednesday, both New York teams are on the doorstep of a Subway Series.

Aaron Judge, the Yankees captain and presumptive 2024 AL MVP, was asked after the team’s Game 4 win about the Mets’ current postseason run and the atmosphere both team’s playoff success is bringing to New York.

The outfielder praised the Mets and manager Carlos Mendoza for turning their season around.

“It’s going to be exciting,” he said. “The Mets have had an incredible season. I know they didn’t start the way they wanted to but they got a great manager over there in Carlos Mendoza, who I’ve had a chance to be around for a few years in the Yankees organization.”

Mendoza was a Yankees coach from 2018-2023 so Judge knows the now Mets skipper very well, and he’s not surprised by how he has his team playing.

“What a leader, what a guy that prepares his team even when he was here as our bench coach,” Judge continued “He prepared his guys, prepared the infield, prepared everybody to go out there and compete on a daily basis. That’s what you’re seeing, I think.

“There’s been so many games where it’s been battling back and forth and then all of a sudden, sixth, seventh eighth [inning], down to your last out guys come up with big hits. That’s a testament to Carlos. A guy who’s cool, calm and collected in pressure situations. Makes the right calls, makes the right moves.”

Judge ended his answer with a potential look to the future and perhaps another date with the Mets before the season is up.

“It’s going to be a fun time in New York, man. They’re having a great season and it’s gonna to be fun to look forward to down the road getting a chance to face them again.”

The Mets and Yankees met in the 2000 World Series, a series won by the Yanks. However, the 2024 Mets swept the season series from the Bombers and if the two teams were to square off again, it would be anyone’s guess who would come out on top.