Part two of the Subway Series moves to the Bronx as the New York Mets face the New York Yankees. The Mets start the second half at 39-55, 13.5 games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies. The Yankees once again reign supreme in New York with their 62-33 record but are 4.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox, who has the best record in baseball. The Yankees took two out of three from the Mets at Citi Field earlier this season.
Probable Pitching Matchups
(7/20, 7:05 PM) Noah Syndergaard (5-1, 2.97 ERA) vs. Domingo German (2-5, 5.49 ERA)
(7/21, 1:05 PM) Steven Matz (4-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. Sonny Gray (6-7, 5.46 ERA)
(7/22, 8:05 PM) Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.68 ERA) vs. Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 4.54 ERA)
Mets Rotation is Ready to Go
The Mets have their big three lined up to pitch against the mighty Yankees lineup. Syndergaard has already said these games mean a lot for the Mets. They could be showcases for potential trades before the deadline. The Mets hitters are avoiding Luis Severino and have a very good chance to take two out of three and start their second half strong. The team is currently in selling mode but a lot can change in the 10 days before the July 31 trade deadline.
After months on the disabled list, Yoenis Cespedes will finally return to the lineup. He will likely DH in all three games and his bat is desperately needed in the lineup. During his absence the Mets were breaking all sorts of records, but they were all bad ones. The Mets lineup is always better with Cespedes in it and if they want to make any run at getting back in the race, Cespedes has to stay healthy and play every day.
Bronx Bombers Back on Top
The Yankees have murderers row 2.0 after acquiring Giancarlo Stanton in the offseason and calling up Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. They lead baseball with 161 home runs and are on pace to hit 275 home runs which would break the MLB record for home runs in a single season. They feature seven different hitters with double digit home run totals and are led by Aaron Judge’s 25 home runs.
Gary Sanchez will return to the Yankees lineup tonight after spending time on the DL with a right groin strain. Sanchez has had a disappointing season, hitting under .200 and only hitting eight home runs. The break from the field could help Sanchez and bring his bat back to life. The Yankees are almost 30 games over .500 without his production and the sky is the limit for them if he returns to his usual form.
Matchups to Lookout For
Jose Bautista vs. Masahiro Tanaka: 10-39 (.256) 3 Doubles, 2 Home Runs, 5 Walks, 11 Strikeouts
Giancarlo Stanton vs. Jacob deGrom: 9-25 (.360) Double, 4 Home Runs, 3 Walks, 7 Strikeouts
Jose Bautista vs. Sonny Gray: 6-20 (.300) Double, Home Run, Walk, 4 Strikeouts
Brett Gardner vs. Jacob deGrom: 4-14 (.286) Home Run, 2 Walks, 4 Strikeouts
Interesting Stats
Hitters with 0-2 counts against Steven Matz in 2018: 9-30 (.300) 2 Doubles, 9 Strikeouts
Hitters with 0-2 counts against Aroldis Chapman in 2018: 3-27 (.111) 2 Doubles, 18 Strikeouts