Subway Series Preview [David Stefanini]

Inter-league play starts today with the focus on the Subway Series. This seasons version of the Subway Series has the Yankees in unprecedented territory. For the first time that I can remember the Yanks are the underdog against the Mets.

The New York Mets are on top of the National League. Their batting has been awesome leading the National League in batting average, RBI, SB, Hits, and Runs. There pitching has given up the least amount of hits, and are second in overall ERA.

The New York Yankees pitching has been horrible. They are in the bottom five in ERA and strikeouts. However, the Yanks hitting has been good so far; they are second in the AL in Runs, batting average, and RBI.

To try to cool down the bats of these teams will be the starting pitchers for this weekend. They are:

Friday - Andy Pettitte (NYY) vs Oliver Perez (NYM)

Saturday - Darrell Rasner (NYY) vs Tom Glavine (NYM)

Sunday - Tyler Clippard (NYY) vs John Maine (NYM)

Obviously tonight is the only game where the Yanks seem to have the upper hand in pitching. If Oliver Perez has his location, it will be very difficult for the Yanks to grab a win this weekend. The Yanks can certainly use a few wins. They can not afford to fall much farther behind Boston this season. Boston has to much pitching to make up games later this season.

As for the Mets, they will look to just keep on winning and put some distance between themselves and the Braves.