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Yankees fans are certain to remember when Soto makes his anticipated return back to Yankee Stadium for the teams’ three-game Subway Series beginning at 7:05 p.m. on Friday night.<\/p>\n
But Soto is no stranger to hostile or pressure-filled environments. He helped the Nationals claim their first World Series title as a 20-year-old in 2019. He’s been traded twice, entered new clubhouses and did not waver offensively. He’s already played 43 postseason games.<\/p>\n
So expect the same stoic Soto when he emerges in front of Judge’s chambers in right field on Friday night.<\/p>\n
“I think he\u2019s just the same guy, regardless of what the moment is,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said on Wednesday. “He\u2019s very consistent in his preparation. He enjoys the moment.<\/p>\n
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“He also doesn\u2019t make more of it than it is and he understands he\u2019s got to keep himself focused and centered and I think he does a very good job of that.”<\/p>\n
With Soto as the massive addition to the lineup, the Mets entered Wednesday night with the best record in Major League Baseball at 28-15. They have scored the fourth-most runs in the National League and have the third-best run differential in baseball.<\/p>\n
Clay Holmes will be experiencing an emotional return to the Bronx, as well, and expects more out of the same from Soto.<\/p>\n
“I can’t really tell the future, but we’ll see,” Holmes said of his expectations of Soto’s reception. “Juan’s a great player. He had great year last year, was a big part of the team last year, and we’ll see. Any opposing player going in, we’ll see how he’s treated. I think his focus is going to be to put up good at-bats and he’s always able to lock it in those big moments. It’ll be fun to watch him.”<\/p>\n
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So how has Soto fit in so far with the Mets, the results have been encouraging:<\/p>\n
Juan Soto: A massive presence![\"May](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/fc1b822ff459ce2469da28163b307309.jpeg\"\/)
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May 1, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) congratulates right fielder Juan Soto (22) for d hitting a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacksuring the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Pete Alonso said “this is our best lineup that we’ve had” in his seven years as a member of the Mets.<\/p>\n
The only major changes since last year are the addition of Soto, rise of Luisangel Acu\u00f1a and subtractions of J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias.<\/p>\n
“For me, I think the thing that I really appreciate is (Soto’s) always a tough at-bat,” Alonso told NorthJersey.com. “There\u2019s times where he\u2019ll get his pitch early, but still, there\u2019s no such thing as where a pitcher can take a moment off. For him, it\u2019s every single pitch, he\u2019s making the pitcher work.<\/p>\n
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“I think it\u2019s that consistent strain and concentration that not just him, I feel like we all do that.”<\/p>\n
In Soto, Carlos Mendoza sees a player that strikes fear in opposing pitching staffs, opening up opportunities for the top of the lineup, including Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.<\/p>\n
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