New York Yankees vs. New York Mets: Series Preview

Despite sharing the same city, the 2018 New York Yankees and New York Mets seasons couldn’t be any more different. While the Yankees started slow, they have soared to a 31-9 record in their last 40 games. Meanwhile, the Mets went 17-9 in April and are just 10-23 since.

The Bombers are coming to town having lost just one series since April 12 and have the best offense in baseball. Meanwhile, the Amazins have lost six games in a row, scoring just seven total runs over that span.

The Mets are hosting the first Subway Series of the year, meaning Yankees pitchers will have to bat. The Mets will come to the Bronx from July 20-22.

Game 1: Masahiro Tanaka vs. Jacob deGrom

Masahiro Tanaka will take the ball for the Yankees in the first game of the series. Despite a 7-2 record, Tanaka has been inconsistent for the Yankees this year. He’s looking to shake off an uneven start to the season and heat up as the summer begins, much like he did last year. Tanaka’s first-ever shutout came versus the Mets way back in 2014. Let’s see if Tanaka can relive that magical performance.

Jacob deGrom may look a little different this season thanks to his new haircut, but he is still the same dominant pitcher he’s always been. deGrom has been one of few Mets pitchers to stay healthy over the years, and he is having his best season yet, to the tune of a 4-0 record over 12 starts, a 1.49 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 72 innings. As deGrom continues to pitch lights-out and the Mets continue to get shut out, deGrom’s name will pop up in trade rumors, but the Mets will likely hang onto their most valuable player.

Game 2: Domingo German vs. Steven Matz

In spite of his 0-4 record, German has pitched better lately. He was the hard-luck loser last time out in Detroit, where some well-placed base hits were the difference in a 4-2 loss. The key for German will be getting ahead of hitters and pitching aggressively, as he tends to nibble when he’s in trouble. With the news that Jordan Montgomery is out for the year, German will look to stake his claim for the vacant rotation spot.

One of many talented Mets pitchers who just can’t stay healthy, Matz doesn’t provide much length in his starts (he’s completed six innings just three times), but he excels at limiting damage. He hasn’t allowed more than four earned runs in a start this year, and he is averaging nearly a strikeout per inning. Matz hasn’t completely lived up to expectations, but he’s still a sneaky-good pitcher from time to time.

Game 3: Luis Severino vs. Noah Syndergaard

This is the matchup that baseball fans across America will be tuning in to see. These are the two hardest throwing starters in the big leagues, each averaging 97.6 mph on their heaters. Severino will tote the rock for the Yankees in the midst of an exceptional season. Severino has solidified his status as a true ace and one of the top 10 pitchers in baseball. The Yankees have won 25 of his last 28 starts, the Yankees’ best stretch since Roger Clemens in 2001.

The Mets will counter with Noah Syndergaard, who is currently on the disabled list with a finger injury, but is scheduled to come off in time for Sunday night’s start. Syndergaard has struggled with injuries, but is an intimidating pitcher. His slider and changeup both average over 90 mph, and his curveball has devastating break.

There will be plenty of national exposure during this series; the games will be broadcast on MLB Network, FOX, and ESPN, respectively. There are certainly some premier pitching matchups in this series, and the Yankees can’t underestimate the Mets, who still have some power bats and ace pitchers on their roster. However, after a brief period where the Mets challenged the Yankees for baseball supremacy in the Big Apple, the Yankees appear to be back on top once again.