8/17/17 Game Preview: New York Yankees at New York Mets

The New York Mets (53-65) can’t wait for the Subway Series to be over. The New York Yankees (64-55) have won the first three games of this series, which was predictable considering how bad the Mets have been against winning teams. The Mets are just 16-38 against teams with records above .500, a big part of the reason why they have fallen out of playoff contention this season. The Subway Series concludes tonight as the Mets will look to avoid getting swept, with first pitch for the series finale scheduled for 7:10 pm at Citi Field.

The Mets will send lefty Steven Matz (2-6, 5.54 ERA) to the mound tonight. Matz looked a bit better in his last start, giving up two runs in 5.2 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies last Saturday, but was stuck with a loss after getting outpitched by Aaron Nola. The Yankees will counter with right hander Luis Severino (9-5, 3.32 ERA). Severino also lost last Saturday, getting hammered for 10 runs (eight earned) in 4.1 innings by the Boston Red Sox.

Local Coverage:

Television: WPIX

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. RF Curtis Granderson
2. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
3. LF Yoenis Cespedes
4. CF Michael Conforto
5. 1B Dominic Smith
6. SS Amed Rosario
7. C Travis d’Arnaud
8. 3B Matt Reynolds
9. SP Steven Matz

Pre-Game Notes:

• Matz is 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees.
• Severino has faced the Mets once before, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn a win last season.
• After his adventures around the infield last night, Travis d’Arnaud will settle into his more customary role behind the plate. d’Arnaud will catch and bat seventh.
• The Mets have placed infielder Jose Reyes on the disabled list with rib cage injuries. Gavin Cecchini and Matt Reynolds have been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, but a second roster move has not been announced at press time.
• With both Reyes and Flores out, Matt Reynolds will play third base and bat eighth .
• After sitting out against lefty Jaime Garcia last night, Curtis Granderson is back in the Mets’ lineup. Granderson will play right field and bat leadoff.