7/21/18 Game Preview: New York Mets at New York Yankees

The New York Mets (40-55) got their second half off to a good start by winning the first round of the latest edition of the Subway Series last night. Yoenis Cespedes launched a solo homer in his return from the disabled list and Noah Syndergaard worked five solid innings as the Mets hung on to beat the New York Yankees (62-34) 7-5. The win knocked the Yankees 5.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox in the tight American League East race, and the Mets will look to hurt their crosstown rivals’ record again this afternoon. First pitch for today’s game is scheduled for 1:05 pm at Yankee Stadium.

The Mets will send lefty Steven Matz (4-7, 3.38 ERA) to the mound today. Matz pitched well in his final start of the first half, allowing three runs in 6.1 innings against the Washington Nationals on July 12th, but was stuck with a loss for his efforts. The Yankees will counter with their fourth starter, struggling right hander Sonny Gray (6-7, 5.46 ERA). Gray delivered a strong showing in his final start before the All Star Break, tossing six shutout innings against the Baltimore Orioles on July 11th to earn his sixth win of the year.

Local Coverage:

Television: WPIX

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. RF Brandon Nimmo
2. DH Asdrubal Cabrera
3. 1B Wilmer Flores
4. LF Michael Conforto
5. 3B Jose Bautista
6. C Kevin Plawecki
7. SS Amed Rosario
8. CF Matt den Dekker
9. 2B Jose Reyes

Pre-Game Notes:

• Matz faced the Yankees at Citi Field back on June 9th, allowing three runs in 6.1 innings of work, but didn’t factor in the decision of a game the Mets went on to lose 4-3.
• Gray won his only career start against the Mets last August, when he allowed two runs in six innings of work.
• Jeurys Familia is not available for today’s game and doesn’t have a uniform in his locker, Tim Healey of Newsday reports. The Mets will play a man short if they don’t complete a potential trade before game time.
• Yoenis Cespedes is out of today’s lineup after showing up to work sore this afternoon. Asdrubal Cabrera will serve as the designated hitter and bat second while Jose Reyes mans second base and bats ninth.
• The Mets are bidding for their first series win since May 18th-20th, when they swept the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citi Field.