Masahiro Tanaka To Open The Subway Series At Citi Field

Those of you who are familiar with New York know there are two major league teams. 

The New York Yankees who are a member of the American League East and based in the Bronx will hop on the subway to visit their cross town rival the New York Mets for a three-game series who are based in Queens and a member of the National League East. 

New York comes into the game  with a record of 40-18 "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankees while the  New York Mets comes into the opener with a record of 27-32 " "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/nym/new-york-mets

Masahiro Tanaka will get the start for the New York Yankees although in the opener he won't only be pitching he will also have to come up to bat since they're playing a national league team. 

The Japanese  right -hander comes into the game against their crosstown rival in Queens with a record of 7-2 to go along with a 4.79 earn run average. "according tohttp://m.mlb.com/player/547888/masahiro-tanaka  Tanaka has won five consecutive decisions and three straight starts, most recently beating the O's with 5 1/3 innings of 4-run, 8-hit ball Saturday. Tanaka has allowed at least one homer in each of his last five starts, and nine total in that span. "according tohttp://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy He will oppose New York Mets right -hander Jacob deGrom who comes into the game with a record of 4-0 with a 1.49 earn run average. "according to http://m.mlb.com/player/594798/jacob-degrom

How impressive has deGrom been? Over his past eight starts, spanning 47 1/3 innings, deGrom owns a 0.57 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 15 walks. He is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees, including his Major League debut in 2014. "according to http://mlb.mlb.com/news/probable_pitchers/index.jsp?c_id=nyy

As for the team from the Bronx  and their previous game they swept Toronto in a two-game set. 

From their positions in the field, the Yankees applauded Sonny Gray's confidence and efficiency through eight scoreless frames, then tried to push across a run that would reward his dominant effort. It took longer than anticipated, but Aaron Judge finally gave everyone in the visitors' dugout something to cheer about. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Judge broke a scoreless tie in the 13th inning by mashing a floating Joe Biagini curveball for a two-run homer, and Giancarlo Stanton tacked on with the hardest-hit homer in the Majors this season, lifting the Yankees to a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday evening at Rogers Centre. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

From their positions in the field, the Yankees applauded Sonny Gray's confidence and efficiency through eight scoreless frames, then tried to push across a run that would reward his dominant effort. It took longer than anticipated, but Aaron Judge finally gave everyone in the visitors' dugout something to cheer about."according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Judge broke a scoreless tie in the 13th inning by mashing a floating Joe Biagini curveball for a two-run homer, and Giancarlo Stanton tacked on with the hardest-hit homer in the Majors this season, lifting the Yankees to a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday evening at Rogers Centre. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"I was just thinking about trying to get on base for the guys behind me," Judge said. "That was the biggest thing for me. With the type of lineup we have, hitting is contagious. ... I just knew in the back of my mind, when I've faced [Biagini] in years past, he does have a big breaking ball. I was just trying to stay on something hard out over the plate." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

That team-leading 17th homer snapped a 15-at-bat hitless skid for Judge, who rested in Tuesday's series opener after going 0-for-9 with eight strikeouts in Monday's doubleheader against the Tigers. He returned as a hero, powering New York to its ninth victory in 12 games as the team improved to a season-high 22 games over .500. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"[Judge] commands his emotions so well," manager Aaron Boone said. "He's so mature, and he just deals with whatever comes his way as good as anyone I've been around. I never really get a sense that he's pressing, honestly. I think it's one of the traits that he has that's better than anyone. He handles this really well." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Two batters after Judge's drive, Stanton added a laser homer that sizzled off his bat at 119.3 mph for his hardest-hit blast since Statcast™ began tracking such data in 2015. David Robertson picked up the victory in relief after delivering a scoreless 12th, and Aroldis Chapman recorded the final three outs for his 15th save. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

In his finest performance since being acquired last July, Gray seemed to be locked in, working efficiently as he limited Toronto to two hits over eight scoreless innings. The right-hander retired the first 12 men he faced and each of the final seven, putting the finishing touches on a 99-pitch gem that included two walks and eight strikeouts. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"Just get the ball and go. No thinking. No second-guessing," Gray said. "You just throw each pitch with conviction, and I was able to do that tonight." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

As it had been numerous times during Gray's early tenure in New York, however, the Yankees' lineup was silenced. The vaunted order had no answers for right-hander Sam Gaviglio, who spun seven scoreless frames of three-hit ball in his fourth start since being traded to the Jays, pinning runners in scoring position to end the second, fourth and fifth innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"It was definitely a good one, especially when the other guy was putting up zeros as well," Gray said. "You know that a run was going to be extremely valuable tonight, so you want to go out and put up as many zeros as possible. It was definitely a good win." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Austin Romine was robbed of an RBI on a hard-hit ball up the middle in the second inning, with second baseman Devon Travis making a dazzling stop. New York left the bases loaded in the fifth when Greg Bird bounced out to first base, as Gaviglio retired his last seven men before handing the game off to the bullpen. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

The Yanks didn't notch another hit until Didi Gregorius singled off Ryan Tepera with two outs in the ninth. Gregorius was erased on a caught stealing, ending the inning. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"That was tough," Judge said. "We wanted to try to scratch out some runs early. We had a couple of guys on and weren't able to get that big hit for [Gray]. Especially the performance he had, where he was just dialed in, making his pitches. He was ahead on every single hitter. It was quite a performance by him." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Gray cruised early until Justin Smoak doubled to open the fifth inning, followed by a Kendrys Morales hit that placed runners at the corners with none out. Third baseman Miguel Andujar alertly threw home on a fielder's choice that cut down Smoak at home plate for the first out. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

A walk followed before Gleyber Torres and Gregorius teamed on a slick double play, one of two inning-ending twin killings that Gray induced as both clubs piled zeros across the scoreboard. After Gray's exit, Chad Green hurled a pair of scoreless innings and Dellin Betances worked a blank 11th before handing the ball to Robertson. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"Sonny set the tone, just filling up the strike zone early and often," Boone said. "He was able to put guys away, and the command all game long, it was a really impressive performance. The bullpen was terrific; came in, pounding the strike zone.""according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS
The Yankees were awed by the sheer force of Stanton's homer, which at 119.3 mph is the third-hardest-hit homer recorded by Statcast™, behind a pair of Judge homers (121.1 mph and 119.4 mph). Boone believes it was "maybe the hardest ball I've ever seen hit." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

"I'm not surprised by that," Judge said. "We had a good view for it, and he's been taking a lot of good swings. Whenever he connects with something like that, you know it's going to be hit hard. That got out in a hurry. We didn't even have time to celebrate or do anything. He swung and was halfway to first. That thing was already gone. Impressive." "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-go-deep-in-13th-to-beat-blue-jays/c-280086442

Unlike the Yankees who won their previous game, The Mets meanwhile lost to Baltimore their last time out. 

As his Mets teammates descended into their clubhouse following a 1-0 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday afternoon -- their sixth straight defeat and their eighth in a row at Citi Field -- Asdrubal Cabrera remained seated alone on the dugout bench. He finished 1-for-4 in the game and 1-for-8 in the two-game series sweep, which qualified him as one of the Mets' more productive offensive players. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

Cabrera also made a questionable decision in the eighth inning, the nature of which spoke volumes about the state of New York's offense. Batting with the potential tying run on first base, Cabrera -- the Mets' most consistent hitter all season -- popped up an attempt to bunt the runner over to second, resulting in a rally-quashing double play. An inning later, the Mets wasted another leadoff hit, leaving the field having scored two runs in the past 42 innings. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

"Guys are pissed," manager Mickey Callaway said. "You could see it after the game today. It felt like the whole game, everybody thought we were going to win the game. Then we don't, and I felt like everybody was mad. They weren't down on themselves. They were mad." "according tohttps://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

It was Callaway who, after a loss to the Orioles on Tuesday, implored the Mets to employ more small-ball tactics with their usual home run thump missing. But when asked if Cabrera bunted on his own in the eighth, Callaway twice demurred, giving lengthy answers to yes-or-no questions that did not include the words "yes" or "no." Cabrera later said the bunt was his call, taking ownership of a play designed to give the Mets a spark. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

That it didn't work was hardly unusual for an offense that has scored nine runs during its eight-game home losing streak -- the franchise's longest in more than a half-decade. Since jetting out to an 11-1 start to the season, the Mets own MLB's second-worst offense (in terms of runs per game) and the league's third-worst record. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

They never put up much of a fight Wednesday against Orioles starter Dylan Bundy, who allowed three hits and three walks in seven innings. Wheeler matched Bundy out for out, but Callaway was forced to remove him for a pinch-hitter with the Mets constructing a rare rally in the seventh. They didn't score, and the first man out of their bullpen, Jeurys Familia, gave up a Manny Machado sacrifice fly for the game's only run. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

"I think we're a lot better team than how we're playing," Wheeler said. "I've said that before and I'll keep saying it, because we're a lot better team than how we're playing. The record doesn't show it, but that will come around. And it needs to turn around pretty fast. We're at the point in the season where we need to start winning some games." "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

Before returning home to Citi Field late last month, Callaway said his team, which scuffled throughout May, had hit "rock bottom." General manager Sandy Alderson added Thursday that the Mets' 8-8 record in its previous 16 games was "incredible" given the state of things -- injuries to Yoenis Cespedes, Todd Frazier, Noah Syndergaard and others; slumps for Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto and nearly everyone else in the Mets' lineup. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

The Mets have since lost six straight and the schedule grows only harder from here, with six consecutive series against teams with .500 records or better. The first of those comes against the Yankees this weekend at Citi Field, where the boos the Mets heard Wednesday will only intensify if they continue to struggle. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

"The added pressure, it can add up. It can build mountains in your head," Frazier said. "We're trying our best. Of course we are. We've got four months left." "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

MOMENT THAT MATTERED
With the top of Baltimore's lineup due to bat in the eighth, Callaway turned to his closer, Familia, who allowed hits to two of the first three batters he faced. Machado followed with a 384-foot sacrifice fly on a belt-high sinker, easily plating pinch-runner Craig Gentry. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

"You know he's going to come after you, try to get the ground ball." Machado said. "So you're just looking for something up. Tried to get at least one there. [Adam Jones] getting that base hit, Gentry there at third base, it was a huge run for us, obviously." "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

SOUND SMART
Wheeler's seven innings marked his longest scoreless outing since June 19, 2014, when he threw his only career shutout against the Marlins. Wheeler owns a 2.52 ERA over his past four starts and, with a single in the fifth inning, is batting .286. Among pitchers with at least 10 at-bats, only Philadelphia's Vince Velasquez (.300) has a higher average. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

HE SAID IT
"Subway Series, what can be better than that? Let's have some fun with it. I keep telling guys, 'Just keep having fun,' just keep going. Don't get too down on yourself. Just keep going and it will work itself out.'" -- Frazier "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

SOUND SMART
Wheeler's seven innings marked his longest scoreless outing since June 19, 2014, when he threw his only career shutout against the Marlins. Wheeler owns a 2.52 ERA over his past four starts and, with a single in the fifth inning, is batting .286. Among pitchers with at least 10 at-bats, only Philadelphia's Vince Velasquez (.300) has a higher average. "according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/offense-cant-back-zack-wheeler-in-loss-to-os/c-280063110

First pitch is set for 7:10pm from Citi Field. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. "according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2018-06