2013 Subway Series Preview

Citi Field

Monday-7:10PM  

Niese (3-5, 4.80 ERA) vs Hughes (2-3, 5.51 ERA)

Tuesday-7:10PM

Matt Harvey (5-0, 1.93 ERA) vs Kuroda (6-3, 2.67 ERA)

Yankee Stadium

Wednesday-7:05PM

Hefner (0-5, 4.76 ERA) vs Phelps (3-2, 3.96 ERA)

Thursday-7:05PM

Gee (2-6, 6.34 ERA) vs Nuno (1-1, 1.93 ERA)

The Mets and Yankees begin the 2013 edition of the Subway Series heading in two different directions.  The banged up Yankees have surprised all of baseball with their play coming into Memorial Day. They stand atop the AL East standings with a 30-19 record.  On the other hand, the Mets head into the battle for New York in fourth place with an 18-29 record.  The Mets and Yankees will play four straight games this week for the first time since the Subway Series began in 1997.  Monday and Tuesday will be in Queens and Wednesday and Thursday will be in the Bronx.

No Derek Jeter.  No Mark Teixiera.  No Curtis Granderson.  No Kevin Youkilis. No Joba Chamberlain.  No Eduardo Nunez.  Seems like the entire roster is sidelined, yet Joe Girardi has the Yanks in first place in cruise control.  The likes of Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, and Travis Hafner have fulfilled as quite suitable "replacements."  Hiroki Kuroda has led the Bombers starting rotation, while C.C. Sabathia been up and down this season.  Mariano Rivera has held it down as he usually does converting 18 straight saves to start the season.  The future Hall of Fame closer makes his final trip to Queens and will be honored by the Mets before Tuesday night's game.

While the Yankees have opened some eyes with their hot start, the Mets have been a major disappointment.  The only real bright spot in the first two months of the season has been Matt Harvey.  In his first full MLB season, Harvey has been dominant with a 5-0 start and 1.93 ERA.  He has thrown two one-hiters, one being a complete game one-hitter against the White Sox.  Unfortunately, "Harvey Day" has essentially been the only day the Mets will consistently win on.  The rest of the rotation has been extremely inconsistent.  Their bullpen has also struggled, but Bobby Parnell has been the lone bright spot in the 'pen taking over for an injured Frank Francisco at closer.  The biggest disappointment thus far has been Ike Davis.  After slugging 32 home runs last season, Davis has been hard to watch in 2013.  Davis is hitting an embarrassing .158 with just 4 home runs and 11 RBI.  Davis was a day from being demoted to triple-A before having a two-hit night last night, including a game-winner in the 8th.

Has the Subway Series lost its punch? Somewhat.  The 2013 Mets and Yankees unappealing rosters and early injuries have been a major reason for the very sparse crowds in both Queens and the Bronx.  This may be the first year of the Subway Series that will not sell out since it began 16 years ago.  While it may not be what it once was, it still is New York bragging rights and always is fun for the fans.  With the Yankees clearly off to the much better start than the Mets, a couple of Subway Series wins may provide the Mets the motivation they need to try and turn this thing around.  Mets fans are just awaiting the arrival of young phenom Zach Wheeler, but they will need their bats to wake up if they are even thinking about a .500 record.