The Yankees come into Citi Field tonight at 7:10 to battle the Mets in the second edition of this year’s Subway series.
Since facing the Mets two weeks ago at Yankee Stadium, in which they swept the Mets, 
the Yankees have caught fire. They went on to win seven straight after taking three in a row from the Mets, all against NL East teams. Their bats and their pitching staff have come together for the first time this year. They are looking as deadly as ever. C.C. Sabathia, who finished April with an ERA close to five, has picked it up these past two months and seems to be peaking now. In his last start, he threw a complete game against Atlanta, improving to 9-3. He will go up against the Mets on Sunday.
This series will showcase some fantastic pitching matchups. Both teams are playing well right now. These games should be tight and exciting.
Here are the pitching matchups:
Game 1- Tonight 7:10
Jonathon Niese (4-3, 3.82 ERA) vs. Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.77 ERA)
Game 2- Saturday 7:15
Chris Young (1-1, 3.06 ERA) vs. Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.32 ERA)
Game 3- Sunday 8:10
R.A. Dickey (11-1, 2.00 ERA) vs. C.C. Sabathia (9-3, 3.55 ERA)
Notes:
- I am so pumped for this series. I feel like if the bullpen can hold a lead, we have a good shot at taking this series. I love beating the Yankees. I really hope the Mets can pull this one out.
- Mark Teixeira wasn’t in the starting lineup for the Yankees in the series finale against the Braves on Wednesday after getting hit by a liner in the heel. However, he entered the game in the eighth and should be alright to play.
- David Wright is still raking. After his batting average fell from close to .400 towards the end of May, it seemed his level of production would go back to normal. However, he is hitting .378 over his past ten games.
- Ronny Cedeno has completed his rehab assignment he will likely re-join the team today for the opener of this series.
- The top story today, Frank Francisco says the Yankees are “chickens.” He told the New York Post: “I can’t wait to strike out those chickens. I want to strike out the side against them. I’ve done it before.” I have no idea what caused Francisco to get so angry, other than the fact that he hasn’t pitched well lately, so I only have one thought to give on this: Bring on the chickens!
11 comments
NJstuckinTX
6/22/2012-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
cluck cluck
Stick
6/22/2012-2:38pm at 2:38 pm (UTC -4)
I really don’t care for the subway series. Just hope the Mets win some games this round!
no clue about the chicken comment. Maybe he did not mean it in terms of fraidy cat chicken? Maybe it is a Frankyism for those schmucks?
my prediction for the key guy this series: Hairston, since there are 2 leftys going for the evils.
Oh, and Franky was a little rough last night (maybe he was rusty?), but he had been very solid for about the 5 weeks before that. Low ERA, WHIP below 1, lots of Ks, etc. So i actually don’t worry about him all that much at this point.
Stick
6/22/2012-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
Cedeno activated and starting? Man, he sucked in his rehab stint. Hope that doesn’t carry over, but I imagine it will. But he hits RH, so he gets to play!
not sure who goes down. probably Rotino?
Mr North Jersey
6/22/2012-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t know why Francisco would feel the need to say this but if your going to talk the talk you better walk the walk and backup those words out on the field.
Rather dumb on his part if you ask me.
oleosmirf
6/22/2012-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
honestly, does it even matter?
Mr North Jersey
6/22/2012-4:19pm at 4:19 pm (UTC -4)
Only if he blows a game.
srt
6/22/2012-4:16pm at 4:16 pm (UTC -4)
LOL…..chickens? What was that all about, Frankie?
Who gets sent down for Cedeno?
srt
6/22/2012-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
Ah…see it’s Elvin who got sent down.
Mr North Jersey
6/22/2012-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
Elvin Ramirez
Stick
6/22/2012-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
Looks like there will be multiple moves required in a few days (hopefully) when Tejada is ready.
Probably going to lose 2 position guys, to bring up another RP.
so, who will those 3 be?
Beato up with Tejada, and Rotino and a MI down most likely. But, will that be Cedeno or Omar DFA’d, or Spin optioned?
gategem
6/22/2012-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
I refrain from doing a position by position comparison for these two teams because as a Mets fan I find it distressing. But just as goaltender is the great equalizer in hockey and soccer (two sports I don’t follow) so is pitching in baseball. So it is with starting pitching that I hang my hopes for a successful weekend. But damn they have good starting pitching too and a strong bullpen to boot. Curses. Damn Yankees!