In a four-game home-and-home format, the New York Yankees and New York Mets will put bragging rights on the line this week.
60-44 (.577) is the overall Subway Series record the New York Yankees will take into tonight’s crosstown matchup with the New York Mets. In other words, they have had the Mets’ number for the most part.
However, the 2016 edition has a different look, perspective, and feel to it than some of the others. In fact, both teams come into the set stumbling at a relatively substantial rate.
The Yanks (52-52) are coming off a dismal series in Tampa Bay in which they were swept by the lowly Rays to bring their record back even at .500. In fact, they may be faced with a depleted roster by the time first pitch is fired tonight. After declaring themselves as sellers, the organization almost certainly has additional moves in store ahead of the 4 pm ET deadline.
The Mets (54-50), on the other hand, were lucky enough to salvage the final game of their home weekend series with the Rockies, one in which they were embarrassed offensively each of the first three nights. The boys from flushing are an injury hampered, expectation driven team following a trip to the World Series in 2015.
Due to the aforementioned injuries, large or lingering, most expectations have not been met. Sitting four games above .500, 6.5 games behind of the first-place Washington Nationals, and 2.5 games out of a playoff spot is certainly not where the bar was set entering the year.
Given the factors surrounding both teams, bragging rights and solidification are on the line for four days. Neither team will define its respective season within the next handful of games.
However, the storylines, the intrigue, and the fan hood remain the exciting factors heading into tonight’s series-opening clash. It is still the Yankees and the Mets, borough vs borough, fanbase vs fanbase, and one city up for grabs.
So, without further adieu, let’s go matchup-by-matchup prior to the commencement of this year’s edition of the Subway Series.
CC Sabathia (6-8, 3.95 ERA) vs. Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.12 ERA)
7:10 pm ET / Citi Field, Flushing, NY / YES, SNY, ESPN
36-year-old left-hander CC Sabathia will toe the rubber for the Yankees to kick off the four-game set tonight. In a feel-good, bounceback year after a battle with alcoholism, the southpaw has been one of the more consistent arms on the staff.
In his last start against Houston, he fired 6.2 strong innings, allowing a mere two runs while striking out five and earning his sixth win of the year.
Opposing him on the mound for the Mets will be 26-year-old right-hander Logan Verrett, who will look to defend the Metropolitans’ home territory. Unable to find a real groove all year, the youngster has seen the majority of appearances come out of the bullpen.
However, his last three outings have come out of the rotation, all representing improvements in his overall development. In his most recent start against the Cardinals, he hurled seven quality innings of three-run ball while striking out seven in a no-decision.
Masahiro Tanaka (7-3, 3.16 ERA) vs. Jacob deGrom (6-5, 2.56 ERA)
7:10 pm ET / Citi Field, Flushing, NY / YES, WPIX
The premier pitching matchup of the series will take place on Tuesday night. Yankee ace Masahiro Tanaka will get the ball and look to show the New York crowd just how stellar he has been in 2016. The 27-year-old has walked just 27 opposing batters while holding them to a .238 average thus far this year.
In his career against the Mets, he is 1-1 with a brilliant 1.20 ERA, including a complete-game shutout at Citi Field in his rookie year.
Opposing him will be the immensely talented Jacob deGrom, who made his major league debut against the Yankees back in 2014. While he was stellar in that start, the now 28-year-old was roughed up by the Bombers at Yankee Stadium last year. In that start, he surrendered three home runs and six earned runs over five innings.
The right-hander is coming off a start in which he shut out the Rockies over seven innings, striking out six in the process. Despite the effort, he was credited with a no-decision.
Steven Matz (8-7, 3.35 ERA) vs. Ivan Nova (7-6, 4.90 ERA)
7:05 pm ET / Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY / YES, SNY, ESPN
As the series flips to the Bronx, the Mets will send left-hander Steven Matz to the hill to try and take down the Yanks in a ballpark which is the opposite of pitcher-friendly.
The 25-year-old, who should be in Rookie of the Year talks, has been solid for the Mets all year. The Long Island native is coming off a start in which he battled but was ultimately credited with a loss. In the outing, the Rockies pounded 10 hits against him yet only plated two runs while he was on the mound.
In one career start against the Yankees, he picked up a win as he permitted only one run over six strong frames.
Opposing Matz will be Ivan Nova, barring any trade that sends the Yankee right-hander elsewhere. If he does, in fact, make the start, he will be coming off a rough start in Tampa back on Friday. In the outing, he allowed five runs over 4.1 shaky innings as he was charged with a loss.
In four career appearances (three starts) against the crosstown rivals, Nova is 1-0 with a 2.82 ERA over 22.1 innings.
7:05 pm ET / Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY / WPIX, SNY, MLBN (out-of-market)
Fitting is the fact that Bartolo Colon will squeak his way into the Subway Series. The Mets will run their fan favorite out there against a team he pitched for back in 2011.
The 43-year-old ageless wonder was named to the All-Star team this year thanks to a formidable first half. Of course, the highlight, though, was this:
Incredible.
With that said, his career going up against the New York Yankees has not been too sparkling. In 18 appearances (17 starts) against the Bronx Bombers, he is 5-7 with a subpar 5.98 ERA. Additionally, he has surrendered 24 home runs over just 99.1 innings in those outings.
On the mound for the Yanks is another trade questionable arm in Nathan Eovaldi. If he does not draw interest ahead of 4 pm ET, he will look to continue a solid stretch of outings which has seen him go 3-2 with a 3.60 ERA in seven appearances (four starts).
In his last start, he was charged with a tough-luck loss in Tampa after allowing three hits and three runs over six quality innings.
Grandy has been the opposite of solid thus far in 2016 but seems to rise to the occasion whenever he gets the chance to face the Yankees — his former team (2010-2012). With the Tigers and Mets, he has combined to blast seven homers and drive in 19 runs over 36 games against the Yanks.
With all of the outfield questions surrounding the Mets, do not be surprised if the Grandy Man has a breakout series at the plate.
One of the few players on the Yankee roster certain to stay past the deadline given his poor performance and injury concerns, he tends to thrive every time he gets the chance to face Mets pitching.
In his career, he possesses an outstanding .301/.378/.571 slash with 14 homers and 48 RBIs over 52 games against the Metropolitans. Translate that over 162 games and you receive 44 home run, 150 RBI production.
It is time to gear up for the 2016 Subway Series, beginning tonight at Citi Field in Flushing. The matchups are set and the Yankees and Mets will be tasked with sorting things out on the field for the next four nights.