Luis Cessa To Start The Opener Of The Subway Series As The Yankees Host The Mets

Let the subway series  begin!

The Yankees will now host not a league rival but a city rival as they begin a four game series with the Mets that will include two games in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium and two at Citi Field in Queens.

Let the debate rage across the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, from 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx to the shadow of the 7 Line in Flushing, Queens. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

Aaron Judge or Michael Conforto?

The former is fresh off one of the best first halves in modern baseball history, a power-hitting machine who won the T-Mobile Home Run Derby last month in Miami, slugged 30 homers before arriving there and led the Yankees' early fight for AL East supremacy. The latter is one of baseball's foremost power hitters in his own right, currently on a tear with 12 of his 26 home runs since the All-Star break. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

For the first time as Major Leaguers, Judge and Conorto will compete against one another Monday when the Yankees and Mets open a four-game, home-and-home Subway Series at Yankee Stadium. Rafael Montero is scheduled to start the opener against the Yankees' Luis Cessa. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

"I know it's out there and it's been a thing all year," Conforto said of his rivalry with Judge. "But our goal is to go in there and win. I look at that as kind of a distraction. I'm just going to stay focused on playing the best that I can, executing and not worrying about all that stuff. I'll just go out there and try to beat him." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

Over the years, Judge and Conforto have had only brief interactions. They played against each other as prospects in Double-A, then became teammates in the Futures Game that same season. They met again as adversaries at this year's All-Star Game presented by Mastercard in Miami. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

Along the way, they developed into two of baseball's most exciting young faces. Judge, 25, entered Sunday's play batting .289 with 35 home runs, his numbers dragged down by a lengthy August slump. That has allowed the 24-year-old Conforto, who is hitting .285 with 26 homers, to catch up to Judge's pace. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

But perhaps Judge will have the last laugh. This year's Subway Series means a bit more to the Yankees, who are leading the American League Wild Card race than the Mets, who are double-digit games back in both the NL East and Wild Card standings. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

"I think there will be a ton of excitement in both stadiums," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously, they're really important games for us. I'm sure the Mets consider them really important for them, too, as it's part of the rivalry. For us in the standings, it's really important." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

The Mets have talked openly about giving their youngest players -- including recent callups Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith -- extended chances to gain experience down the stretch. Perhaps there is no better way to do so than in front of tens of thousands of fans at Yankee Stadium. "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

"When you have young players like we have," Mets manager Terry Collins said, "if you get exposed to the Yankees-Mets rivalry in that city, you'll get a lot out of it. You'll learn a lot. You'll learn a lot about the intenseness of Mets fans, New York fans in general. I think it's important for these young guys to be a part of it." "according to http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170814248181274/next-great-rivalry-conforto-judge-finally-meet/?game_pk=491869

As for the Yankees last game, they lost to American League East leader Boston. 

One mistake by a pitcher one swing of a bat can change the game and that's what happened Sunday in the finale as New York lost to their American League East rival Boston. 

The Red Sox enjoyed a glimpse of their bright future on Sunday evening as Rafael Devers cracked a dramatic, game-tying home run and Andrew Benintendi delivered the go-ahead hit, lifting Boston to a thrilling 3-2 victory in 10 innings over the Yankees that swelled their American League East lead to a season-high 5 1/2 games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

Devers tied the game in the ninth inning with the fourth homer of his young career, catching up with a 102.8-mph Aroldis Chapman fastball and driving it over into the visiting bullpen in left-center field. It marked New York's 20th blown save of the season and just the second homer that Chapman has ever allowed to a left-handed hitter. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"I was thinking hit the ball up the middle, but you can't plan a home run," said Devers, who joined Luke Scott (2011) as the only lefties to homer off Chapman. "Obviously he's an All-Star, but I didn't know the stat. I just go about every at-bat the same." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

The 102.8-mph heater was the fastest pitch hit for a home run since MLB began officially tracking velocity in 2008. Benintendi's RBI single off Tommy Kahnle drove in Jackie Bradley Jr., who was plunked by Chapman (4-2) on an 0-2 fastball with one out. It was the ninth RBI of the three-game set for Benintendi, who extended his hitting streak to seven games. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"He's had a huge series," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He's been right man, right spot, bases loaded, and what was beautiful was he lays off a couple of really tough hard sliders from Kahnle and gets a fastball for a line-drive base hit." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

Todd Frazier had given the Yanks their first lead of the evening in the eighth, lifting a sacrifice fly off Matt Barnes. David Robertson worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings and Dellin Betances blanked Boston in the eighth before Chapman blew his fourth save. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"I have high expectations of myself," Chapman said through an interpreter. "The last couple of outings haven't been what I would like them to be. You definitely feel bad when you lose a game. You put that on your shoulders." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

Living up to the hype under the bright lights of a national television broadcast, Chris Sale settled for a no-decision despite a 12-strikeout effort that made him the first Boston hurler since Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez in 2001 to ring up three consecutive starts of 10 or more whiffs against the Yankees. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"It's big," said Sale. "Anytime you can come up here and win a series in this division this late in the year, it's big. Like I said before, we know where we're at, we know what we need to do, we know the task at hand. We're just grinding every day.""according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

Austin Romine accounted for the only run off Sale with the first triple of his big league career, a fifth-inning line drive that clanged off the glove of right fielder Mookie Betts as he leapt against the wall. Sale allowed four hits and walked two in the no-decision. Craig Kimbrel (4-0) picked up the win with 1 1/3 innings of relief. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

One day after being hit in the head by a batting practice fly ball, Yankees rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery stood tall against Sale, holding the Red Sox to Bradley's fifth-inning RBI single and one other hit over 5 1/3 innings. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"Every loss is tough, especially how we were battling tonight, fighting, going up against Chris Sale -- the best pitcher in the game right now," Aaron Judge said. "It was a grind. We just weren't able to come up with it in the end." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

 By the time the bottom of the ninth inning started, Farrell still hadn't deployed All-Star closer Kimbrel in this three-game series. With the potential winning run on second with one out, Farrell initially wanted Kimbrel to face Jacoby Ellsbury. But home-plate umpire Laz Diaz reminded Farrell that a move was not allowed because pitching coach Carl Willis had come to the mound earlier in the at-bat. Addison Reed got Ellsbury on a grounder, and Farrell then went to his man. Kimbrel struck out Brett Gardner to end the ninth and then picked up the win with a 1-2-3 10th. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"In the ninth inning, I messed up. I know the rule, I messed up trying to get Kimbrel into the game, but it worked out," said Farrell. "We matched up, we got outs when we needed. It was a big win, to finish out a road series win." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

Kimbrel lowered his ERA to 1.44 on the season. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

 Betts' reaction immediately after Romine's fifth-inning triple suggested that he believed the ball should have been caught, a drive to the right field wall that he camped under but was unable to put away as he timed his leap, the ball caroming off the heel of his glove. The ball came off Romine's bat at 96.8 mph and had a catch probability of 93 percent, according to Statcast™. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

"Honestly, I just missed it," said Betts. "It felt great that your teammates picked you up but in that situation that can't happen." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

This was the 16th time Sale has racked up double-digit strikeouts this season, the most since Hall of Famer Randy Johnson did it 23 times in 2001. Pedro Martinez holds the Red Sox record with 19 double-digit strikeout games in 1999. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248275352/red-sox-rookies-lead-win-over-yankees/

As for Aroldis Champman outing, 

The third pitch of Aroldis Chapman's ninth-inning showdown with Rafael Devers zipped toward home plate at 102.1 mph, and the Red Sox rookie barely made contact, tipping it foul. The next fastball came in just a little bit hotter, and it never made it to catcher Gary Sanchez's glove. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

Chapman jerked his neck and watched that heater rocket into the visiting bullpen, the fastest pitch cracked for a home run since MLB began officially tracking velocity in 2008. It was the fourth blown save in 19 chances for Chapman, who took the loss in the Yankees' 3-2, 10-inning setback vs. Boston on Sunday. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

"I have high expectations of myself," Chapman said. "The last couple of outings haven't been what I would like them to be. You definitely feel bad when you lose a game. You put that on your shoulders." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

Though manager Joe Girardi quickly reiterates that Chapman "is my closer," the Yanks fell 5 1/2 games back in the American League East race as Devers became just the second left-handed batter to homer off the flamethrower, joining Luke Scott, who did it for the Orioles back on June 26, 2011. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

"It's a frustrating loss. There's no doubt about it," Girardi said. 'We were in position to win. I actually thought Chappy in the ninth threw the ball really well. He made a mistake. It happens. I thought his stuff was really good tonight. He made one mistake that cost us." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

In the 10th, Chapman drilled Jackie Bradley Jr. with an 0-2 fastball, and that accounted for the deciding run when Bradley scored on Andrew Benintendi's RBI single off Tommy Kahnle. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

Chapman has now allowed runs in 10 of his 36 appearances this season, including four of six outings against the Red Sox. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

"The key here is to keep fighting," Chapman said. "You've got to keep fighting. We've got to keep our heads up and keep fighting.""according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

The Yankees believed that adding Kahnle and David Robertson prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline would bolster a bullpen that has now blown 20 saves as a unit, second in the Majors only to the Mariners (22). "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

"I think that can be a misleading number," Girardi said, referencing blown saves that are recorded in innings earlier than the ninth. "It sounds like it's 20 in the ninth. That would be an issue." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

Still, Chapman has been a weak link of late. His last three appearances have been eventful, beginning with an Aug. 5 save at Cleveland in which Girardi thought he looked "rusty." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

In Friday's game against Boston, Chapman walked the bases loaded before Aaron Hicks' arm bailed him out with a double play that nailed Eduardo Nunez at third base. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

Yankees infielder Chase Headley said that he does not believe Chapman looks markedly different than he did last year when he posted a 2.01 ERA and 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 31 appearances before being traded to the Cubs. "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

"Sometimes you have to tip your cap," Headley said. "It's 102 mph, and the guy hits an opposite-field homer over 399 [feet]. It's an impressive swing. I'll take my chances with him out there. We've got his back. He's going through a little bit of a rough patch but that's part of baseball. He's going to get out of it. I have no doubt." "according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/248277976/aroldis-chapman-takes-loss-with-4th-blown-save/

With the loss, New York drops to 61-55 and is now 5.5 games back of their American League East rival Boston who is leading the division and with the win improves to 67-50 on the season. 

New York will return to action  Monday for the first of four games as they start the subway series as they play four games against the Mets that include the first two games at Yankee Stadium before heading over to Citi Field for the last two games. 

As for the Mets last game, they won 6-2 over Philadelphia

Through the turbulence of mounting losses, multiple trades, and near-daily clubhouse turnover, few Mets have provided more stability than  Curtis Granderson Playing out what are likely to be his final weeks with the Mets, Granderson hit a two-run homer Sunday, collected three hits, drove in three runs and scored three himself in a 6-2 win over the Phillies. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

"He comes ready to play. He gets himself ready to play. He keeps himself ready to play," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He's an example of a guy you want to follow." "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Michael Conforto also homered for the Mets, making a winner of rookie starter Chris Flexen, who allowed 10 baserunners -- but just two runs -- in five innings at Citizens Bank Park. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Granderson doubled and scored in the first inning off Phillies starter Zach Eflin homered off Eflin in the fifth, then drove home his third run with a single in the seventh. By that point, Eflin had long since departed, giving up four runs in 5 1/3 innings to raise his ERA to 5.76. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

"If you hang them you're going to get hurt," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said of the Mets' two homers, both on curveballs not quite low enough. "If you make the pitch, nobody says a word if you keep it down where it's supposed to be. Neither curveball had enough bite to it. You hang it, they bang it." "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Twice, the Phillies loaded the bases with no outs against Flexen, coming away with just one run each time. In the first Rhys, Hoskins  beat out an RBI fielder's choice to record his first career RBI Four innings later, Hoskins muscled an opposite-field single into right field for his first career hit. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

"It's just being able to execute pitches in stress situations," Flexen said. "I had a lot of runners on today and was able to limit it to just two runs." "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Phillies outfielder Odubel  Herrera singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 16 games. After Joey Votto's  0-for-3 game Sunday broke his league-leading 17-game hitting streak, Herrera's is now the longest in baseball. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Though it was Granderson who put things on ice in the middle innings, Conforto gave the Mets the lead for good with his two-run homer in the first, a 384-foot blast to right. It was Conforto's third home run of the series, his fifth in eight games and his 12th in 29 contests since the All-Star break. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

"I'm hitting in the middle of the order," said Conforto, who recently shifted from leadoff to the middle of New York's lineup. "I see myself as a guy who's supposed to drive in runs, get on base, really more of the same that I was before." "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

The Phillies' best chance to overtake the Mets occurred in the fifth when they loaded the bases with no outs. The next batter,  Nick Williams, lifted a fly ball to shallow center field, where Conforto caught it and fired home. Third-base coach Juan Samuel held up Freddy Galvis from attempting to score, but as Conforto's throw skittered to the right of catcher Travis d Arnaud Herrera inexplicably sprinted from second to third. d'Arnaud jogged over to third base to complete an easy double play, and the Phillies came away with just one run in the inning. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

"I prefer to say that he's more positive than negative," Mackanin said. "And if you look back on the last six, seven weeks, he has not made many mistakes. Today was an innocent mistake. He just didn't keep his head up. That's the only thing he did. So I'll take him any day. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Hoskins certainly earned his first career RBI. With the bases loaded and no outs in the first inning, Hoskins grounded into a run-scoring double play -- a play that according to MLB rules, does not result in an RBI. But the Phillies challenged that Hoskins, who was hustling down the line, beat out Asdrubal Cabrera relay to first base. After a review, umpires overturned the call, giving Hoskins an RBI. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

The Mets improved to 53-62 and are now 16.5 games back in third place in the National League East behind division leader Washington. Meanwhile, Philadelphia dropped to 43-72 on the season and is 26.5 games back of Washington. "according to http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/248181094/curtis-granderson-leads-mets-past-phillies/

Right -hander Luis Cessa will be on the mound for the team for the Yankees.  He has a record of 0-3 with a 4.83 earn run average. He is starting in place of the injured Masahiro Tanaka against the Mets  Cessa has made four starts this season, and has allowed 14 runs (12) earned in his 17 1/3 innings (6.23 earn run average) as a starter. He will take on Mets right -hander Rafael Montero who has a record of 1-8 with a 6.06 earn run average. Manager Terry Collins admitted that the Mets have few rotation options left beyond Montero, who is 0-4 with a 6.48 earn run average since the start of July. That will change once Matt Harvey and others return, but for now, Montero retains the starting spot. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mets-vs-yankees/2017/08/14/491869#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491869

How will Luis Cessa do in replacing Masahiro Tanaka in the rotation as he makes his start against the team from Queens? Will he not give up any runs or will the Mets offense be able to get their offense going against him? Will Luis Cessa not give up as many runs as he has so far this season? Will the New York team in the Bronx be able to score runs off Rafael Montero? Will Aroldis Chapman not blow a save if there is a save situation for the Yankees? 

First pitch is set for 7:05 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/mets-vs-yankees/2017/08/14/491869#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=491869