Latest Version Of Subway Series Not Lacking Excitement

Joe Girardi (left) and Terry Collins. (ANDREW THEODORAKIS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Arguably one of the most hyped up Subway Series since the 2000 World Series, the New York Yankees have everything on the line, whereas the New York Mets hope to maintain their lead in the NL East.

Taking place in September for the first time, the series could potentially make or break both teams’ postseason dreams.   With a magic number in place, the Mets do not want another complete choke job like their losing streak in 2007.

With an eight game lead over the Nationals, the Mets do not want history to repeat itself.  With Mark Teixiera out for the year, the Yankees do not want to play in the Wild Card Game.

The magic number is down to nine for the Mets to clinch the division, while the Yankees are 3 ½ games behind the Blue Jays in the AL East.

With the regular season coming to a close, the Mets won the excitement battle.  Rising to the top of the NL East in early July.   The Mets went from one of the most embarrassing 2015 trade deadline stories to arguably one of the best with the acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes.

The Yankees on the other hand, were silent during the trade deadline, but added young exciting talent to their rotation and lineup with ace in the making, Luis Severino and 22-year-old Greg Bird.  The 2015 season also brought the rebirth of Alex Rodriguez, who will not be in the starting line up this weekend.

Going to Toronto this week, these games are must wins for the Yankees.

The Yankees will send out Masahiro Tanaka (12-6. 3.40) against rookie Steven Matz (3-0. 1.88) tonight.

Saturday night, the Yankees send out the recently struggling, Michael Pineda (10-8, 4.25) to face Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.20).

The Yankees will send CC Sabathia (4-9, 4.93) to the mound to face Mets ace, Matt Harvey (12-7, 2.88) to close the series.

Sunday nights matchup serves as the main story line of the series with Matt Harvey on the mound for the Mets.  Harvey who has a strict inning limit of 180 innings this season, has not pitching since September 8.  Harvey is currently at 171 2/3 innings on the season; with the playoffs approaching he is one player the Mets do not want to lose.

Harvey has made it clear with his post on the Players Tribune earlier this month that he intends on pitching in the playoffs and potentially ignoring the inning limit that was placed on him after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Yankees on the other hand are hoping for another solid start from their struggling starter.  Since coming off of knee surgery Sabathia has not been the same pitcher.  This season it seems as if he takes one small step forward from time to time than two steps back.  With a strong outing against the Rays earlier this week, Sabathia hopes to take that momentum into the series finale.