Domingo German Returns As The Yankees Aim To Bounce Back Against The Mets In The Finale

After having a setback in the opening game of the two game series of the subway series the Yankees will look to bounce back against the Mets as they welcome back a piece of their starting rotation in Domingo German and try to earn a split while the Mets meanwhile will look to sweep their crosstown rivals in the finale.

The Yankees who are a member of the American League East come into the finale with a record of 54-29 and are first in their division while the Mets who are a member of the National League East come into the finale with a record of 39-47 and are fourth in their division. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings

As stated above,

Domingo German will start for the Yankees. The right -hander comes into the game with a record of 9-2 with a 3.86 earn run average. German will be making his return from the injured list. He had been sidelined with a left hip flexor strain. His last start was June 7 in Cleveland when he allowed four runs in six innings. He will oppose Mets left-hander Jason Vargas who comes into the finale with a record of 3-3 with a 3.66 earn run average. Vargas has gone 11 straight outings allowing three or fewer earned runs, posting a 2.55 ERA over that stretch. He held the Yankees to three runs over six innings in their first meeting this year, notching his first win in 11 starts against them. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for the Yankees and Mets previous game,

After allowing a season-high six runs in his previous start, Yankees left-hander James Paxton needed a bounce-back outing Tuesday night -- and that's what he delivered in the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Mets at Citi Field. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Paxton threw six innings of one-run ball and departed with the lead. And even though the Yankees weren't able to extend their MLB-record streak of 31 games with a home run, Paxton pitched in with the bat, too. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

"Absolutely, considering the last few haven't been that great," Paxton said, when asked if he was encouraged by the outing. "Definitely a step in the right direction for me." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

His manager echoed that positivity. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

"Six innings, one run, that's a really good line," Aaron Boone said after the game. "But I actually thought he threw better than some of the results he got. So [I] continue to be encouraged. He handled himself well at the plate, obviously, so, good to see him go out and kind of set the tone for us tonight, we just couldn't finish it off for him." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Indeed, Paxton allowed two singles to Jeff McNeil -- and each had an expected batting average of .120 or lower, based on quality of contact. Six of the eight hits Paxton allowed had an expected batting average of less than 50 percent. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Boone also referred to Paxton's two sacrifice bunts at the plate, which matched his career total entering the evening. He is the first Yankees pitcher with multiple sac bunts in a game since Ivan Nova on June 17, 2012, at Washington. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Paxton's fastball -- which has returned to form after being a bit slower in his first few starts off the injured list -- carried him. He registered nine swings-and-misses on his four-seamer and three total on all other pitch types combined. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

"I've got to give credit to Paxton. He was just dotting the inside corner with his fastball, and he made a lot of good pitches against me," said Michael Conforto, who delivered the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning off Zack Britton. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Even with the fastball going, Paxton saw plenty to work on. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

"I think my breaking balls were just OK tonight, didn't really have anything great to put guys away with. So that'll be what I focus on moving forward this week," he said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Putting batters away has been a bit of a chore for him. He's struck out just three batters in each of his past two starts. Not having an out pitch to rely on could certainly have played a role. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

It's the first time since 2016 that Paxton has had three or fewer strikeouts in at least two straight starts -- he did so in three straight in July that year. The only other time he's done that in back-to-back starts was in 2014. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Paxton is still looking to regain the strikeout-heavy form he showcased in April, when he had back-to-back 12-strikeout games. Since then, he hasn't had more than eight strikeouts in an outing, and his most since returning from the injured list is seven, three times. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

Prior to the Yankees' 31-game homer streak, the previous record was held by the 2002 Rangers, who were led by Alex Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro. Texas homered in 27 straight games from Aug. 11 to Sept. 9. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/james-paxton-deals-yankees-hr-streak-ends

With the loss, New York who is a member of the American League East drops to 54-29 on the season.

Meanwhile the New York team located in Queens was on the other end of the spectrum. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

The ball ricocheted from Brett Gardner's bat to Wilson Ramos’ catcher’s mitt, but it didn’t stick there -- at least not immediately. Instead, it pinballed over to Ramos’ bare right hand, then back to his left side. At that point, Ramos finally corralled it, squeezing the ball in his mitt as he clenched his right hand into a celebratory fist pump. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

In the box score, it was a strikeout on a foul tip, ending the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Such a simple description, however, does injustice to the catch’s degree of difficulty. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

“That was a nice play to end the game,” Ramos said. “It’s never happened with me in my career, but that was a nice play. That was a good reaction.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

Ramos’ juggling act ended a nine-pitch at-bat for Gardner, who fouled off three consecutive 3-2 pitches as rain began falling at Citi Field. With the potential tying run on base, Mets closer Edwin Díaz opted for a third straight fastball against Gardner, who again fouled it back -- though this time straight back, toward Ramos’ mitt. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

When ball hit leather, it became possible for Ramos to turn it into a foul tip, which the MLB rulebook defines as “a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught.” Ramos just had to complete the catch. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

“It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play,” the rulebook continues. “It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher’s glove or hand.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

n other words, if the ball had ricocheted off Ramos’ chest protector into his glove, the game would not have ended. Because it hit his glove, then his hand, then his glove once again, it became strike three once Ramos secured it. Gardner, appreciating the difficulty of the play, gave Ramos a pat on the shoulder as he turned to walk off the field. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

“That was instinct,” Ramos said. “As soon as he fouled off the ball and it hit my glove, I just turned around and the ball was close to me. I was trying to catch it with my hand, my glove, and finally did it.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

For Ramos, it was a light moment in what has otherwise been a difficult stretch. One of the Mets’ primary offseason acquisitions on a two-year, $19 million contract, Ramos has recently lost playing time because of Jacob deGrom’s preference to throw to backup Tomas Nido. Last weekend, Noah Syndergaard reportedly followed suit, asking manager Mickey Callaway if Nido could also catch his starts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

The Mets agreed, meaning Ramos will only be behind the plate for about 60 percent of the Mets’ games going forward. Nido will catch the other 40 percent. Known primarily for his offensive thump over a 10-year career, Ramos is batting .271 with nine home runs in 75 games, but his catcher’s ERA is 4.90 -- roughly a full run higher than Nido’s 3.91 mark. “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

“That’s never happened in my career before, especially when I’ve been healthy,” Ramos said of the loss of playing time. “But I’m not mad at all. I respect all the decisions the manager makes. I’m ready to play every time they put me in the lineup.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/mets/news/mets-beat-yankees-on-game-ending-foul-tip

First pitch is set for 7:10pm from Citi Field. The game will be televised on Yes, SNY and ESPN.