The New York Mets visit the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM ET in the Bronx. This matchup kicks off a three-game series between two of the top teams in the league standings.
This game marks Juan Soto’s first return to Yankee Stadium since joining the Mets in the offseason. He turned down a massive offer from the Yankees and now bats second in a Mets lineup that includes Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso. Both teams have World Series hopes, and this game is expected to draw national attention.
Yankees Preview – Judge Leads a Power Lineup at Home
The Yankees are 25-18 on the season and 13-8 at home. They come in with the biggest lead of any division leader in MLB. Aaron Judge continues to be the key piece. He leads the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger are helping lengthen the lineup.
Carlos Rodon gets the start. He’s 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA and 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA in his last five outings. He faced the Mets in July 2023 and gave up just one run in 5.2 innings. Rodon is also 2-0 with a 0.84 ERA in two career starts against the Mets.
The Yankees bullpen has a 3.46 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP. Luke Weaver has a 0.43 ERA over 21 innings. Fernando Cruz and Ryan Yarbrough have been reliable in middle relief. Devin Williams has struggled with command, allowing 13 earned runs in 14 innings. The Yankees have hit the game total under in 17 of their last 28 games.
Mets Preview – Soto Returns, Mets Still in First
The Mets are 28-16 overall and 11-11 on the road. They have led the division since April 11. Juan Soto enters this series hitting .255 with 8 home runs and 20 RBIs. Over his last 12 games, he’s batting .289. The Mets lineup also includes Lindor and Alonso, who’ve helped the team average 4.66 runs per game.
Tylor Megill gets the start with a 3-3 record and 3.10 ERA. He has a 6.19 ERA over his last three games. Megill gave up four runs in his last start against the Cubs in just 4.2 innings. He did beat the Yankees once before, throwing seven innings of two-run ball in 2021 while striking out 10.
The Mets bullpen has been very strong, posting a 2.69 ERA across 150.1 innings. Edwin Diaz has 24 strikeouts in 17 innings. Huascar Brazoban has a 1.08 ERA over 25 innings. Jose Butto, Ryne Stanek, and Reed Garrett have kept games close late. The Mets have hit the moneyline in 26 of their last 39 games and covered the run line in 17 of their last 30.
Betting Prediction
The Yankees enter as -145 favorites, while the Mets are +120 underdogs. The total is set at 9.0 runs. The Yankees have a stronger lineup and more consistent starting pitching. Carlos Rodon has been in form and has a good history against the Mets. Judge gives them an edge at the plate every night.
The Mets have a good bullpen and a hot lineup, but Megill’s recent struggles are a concern. If Rodon continues to pitch well and the Yankees’ big bats deliver, they should take the series opener. A 5-3 win for the Yankees is a fair prediction. The Yankees also have value on the run line at +145.
Pick: Yankees -145
