Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Yankees play the three-game Subway Series at Citi Field starting on Friday at 3:10 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Can the Mets' offense find consistency?
Despite a strong top five in the lineup that features Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Juan Soto, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeil, the Mets' offense has been hit or miss recently, including during last weekend's three-game sweep at the hands of the Pirates (when they scored a total of four runs) and their Game 1 doubleheader loss to the Brewers on Wednesday (when they mustered only two hits).
The two main issues have been the bottom of the lineup and overall struggles with runners in scoring position.
When it comes to the six-through-nine hitters, the Mets have been getting better at-bats from Ronny Mauricio lately, which has helped. Meanwhile, Mark Vientos recently returned, which lengthened the order.
If Vientos can get hot, it would be a boon for the rest of the lineup.
Meanwhile, a reinforcement should be coming soon in the form of Jesse Winker, who could return from the IL at some point next week.
Who will start on Friday?
Paul Blackburn was slated to start Friday's series-opener, but he just landed on the IL due to a shoulder impingement.
The right-hander had been ineffective lately.
He allowed four runs (three earned) in 3.2 innings against the Braves on June 18, surrendered three runs in 4.2 innings against Atlanta on June 23, and gave up three runs on six hits in his only inning of work against the Pirates on June 28 — during a game that was interrupted by a lengthy rain delay.
It is conceivable that the Mets will use Justin Hagenman to start on Friday.
Hagenman made his major league debut on April 16 against the Twins, tossing 3.1 innings of one-run ball while allowing three hits, walking none, and striking out four. He also pitched on June 19 against the Braves, going 2.2 scoreless innings.
The Mets should get some rotation help soon, with the returns of Sean Manaea (likely after one more rehab start) and Kodai Senga (who is about to begin a rehab assignment).
The Mets also need a starter for Sunday
Sunday's start was supposed to go to Clay Holmes, but Tuesday's rainout and Wednesday's doubleheader pushed Holmes to Wednesday — meaning New York now needs a starter for the finale of the series.
Their two options appear to be going with an opener/bullpen game or calling someone up from Triple-A Syracuse.
With Nolan McLean pitching on Thursday night for Syracuse, the Mets could theoretically turn to Brandon Sproat for Sunday's start.
The hard-throwing Sproat, who is currently in line to pitch on Friday in Triple-A, is coming off his best start of the season. He fired 6.0 innings of two-run ball on June 28 while allowing just two hits, walking three, and striking out six.
The Yankees' rotation is lined up
Marcus Stroman, who senselessly bashed the Mets on his way out of town following the 2021 season, gets the start on Friday. And he'll certainly be out for some kind of revenge against a team that never did anything wrong to him in the first place.
Following Stroman, the Yanks have Carlos Rodon lined up for Saturday and Max Fried set to pitch on Sunday.
Rodon is having a very strong season, with a 2.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP to go along with 123 strikeouts in 106.2 innings.
Fried has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, with a 2.13 ERA and 0.94 WHIP.
He did get touched up a bit in his last start, though, allowing four runs (including two homers) to the Blue Jays in 6.0 innings on Tuesday in Toronto.
Aaron Judge has "cooled off"
Judge was hitting .250/.400/.574 over his prior 20 games ahead of play on Thursday. That's tremendous for any other player, but a slump for Judge, who is possibly on track for another AL MVP award.
The slugger has also been more susceptible to the strikeout lately, and has already fanned 97 times this season — that extrapolates to 183 over a full season.
Still, Judge is one of the most dangerous hitters on the planet. And the Mets would be wise to walk him any time there's a base open, and pitch incredibly carefully to him in every other situation.
The idea, as it was last season when the Mets faced the Yanks (when they still had Soto), should be to make anyone else in the lineup beat them.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Juan Soto
Soto didn't break through during Round 1 of the Subway Series. This time will be different.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Frankie Montas
Montas has fixed a pitch-tipping issue, which should help in a big way.
Which Yankees player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm has been heating up.
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