Game 3 of WhatIfSports‘ simulation of a Subway World Series between the 1986 Mets and the 1998 Yankees was a pitcher’s duel between David Wells and Sid Fernandez.
The 1998 Yankees scored twice in the third when Derek Jeter doubled, Bernie Williams doubled him home and Paul O’Neill singled home Bernie. Those were the only runs El Sid allowed in seven innings.
Wells shut out the Mets until the seventh, when Ray Knight doubled home Rafael Santana.
As in the earlier games, the computer made some changes to Davey Johnson’s usual lineups. Santana, the usual no. 8 hitter, batted seventh, while Knight hit eighth. Keith Hernandez, the usual no. 3 hitter, batted cleanup. Perhaps the computer thought this was the most efficient lineup, but in this simulation, it did not turn out that way against Wells.
Fernandez did not start a game in the 1986 World Series, as the Mets used a three-man rotation of Darling-Gooden-Ojeda. Fernandez did get a start in the 1986 NLCS.
Jesse Orosco pitched the eighth and allowed a run when O’Neill singled home Williams. The 1998 Yankees now led, 3-1.
In the top of the ninth, Derek Jeter singled off Doug Sisk to drive in Chuck Knoblauch.
Mariano Rivera set down the 1986 Mets in order in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the 1998 Yankees’ 4-1 victory.
The 1998 Yankees now lead the 1986 Mets, two games to one.
Read the Game 3 box score and game summary.
The good folks at WhatIfSports, who run SimLeague Baseball and Hardball Dynasty have run a best-of-seven scenario for us- a Subway World Series, if you will – between the two teams. And each day this week, we’ll feature one of the games here at Subway Squawkers.
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