Why This Yankees-Mets Series Is the Most Crucial Since the 2000 World Series

Every year during interleague play, the annual Subway Series matchup between the New York Yankees and New York Mets probably gets a bit too much attention.

For one thing, do any of the other crosstown or interstate interleague rivalries have their own nickname? "Crosstown Classic"? "Battle of the Bay"? "Freeway Series"? OK, but none of those are nearly as sticky in the brain or are as memorable as "Subway Series." 

But again, maybe that's because the Yankees and Mets receive so much more attention, playing in the New York media market. For those in other parts of the country who think anything related to New York is overblown, the hype for the Subway Series must induce eye-rolling.

Especially during the past three years when the Mets have been bad.

However, this year is different. The Mets have been one of baseball's most surprising teams, compiling a 32-26 record that has them 1.5 games out of first place in the NL East. Meanwhile, the Yankees have been something of a disappointment, despite being just a half-game behind the AL East leaders.

This is a big series for both teams.

Who Has the Pitching Advantage?

The Mets arguably begin the series with an advantage, starting Johan Santana in Friday night's opener.

This is Santana's first start since his no-hitter last Friday, as Mets manager Terry Collins decided to give the left-hander two extra days of rest after throwing a career-high 134 pitches in his no-hit performance. Will he be sharp or sluggish? 

However, Hiroki Kuroda isn't going to be a pushover for the Mets. After struggling early in the season, he's pitched well recently. Over his past three starts, Kuroda has allowed five runs and 18 hits in 20.1 innings. 

In the series' other two games, it's difficult to say which team has the pitching advantage. Both Phil Hughes and Andy Pettitte were outstanding in their previous starts, allowing a combined one run and six hits. Both pitchers totaled 18 strikeouts in 16.1 innings.

For the Mets, Dillon Gee hasn't allowed more than three runs in each of his past four appearances. During that span, he has 28 strikeouts in 27.1 innings. Jonathon Niese pitched six scoreless against the St. Louis Cardinals last weekend, racking up 10 strikeouts. He dealt with an irregular heartbeat during the game, but checked out fine and will pitch on Sunday. 

Crosstown Rivalries are the Hottest Trend

Though the Yankees and Mets are the prominent crosstown rivalry, New York sports teams are battling each other fiercely in the other major sports.

Look at what's going on with the city's two NFL teams.The New York Giants won the Super Bowl, yet during the offseason, it's been non-stop Tim Tebow talk since the New York Jets acquired him from the Denver Broncos. And Tebow isn't even the Jets' starting quarterback. (Well, not yet, says Mr. Jets Fan.) 

In the NBA, the New Jersey Nets are moving to Brooklyn. By moving into the outer boroughs, can the Nets challenge the New York Knicks—who were a soap opera this season—for the big city's basketball affections? What if they swing a trade for Dwight Howard and keep Deron Williams?

Then we have the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils in the NHL. The Rangers finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference, yet it's the Devils playing for the Stanley Cup. Even though it looks like the Devils are going to lose to the Los Angeles Kings, they'll still have bragging rights. 

Yet it's still the Yankees and Mets that move the needle in New York City.

More Than Bragging Rights on the Line

With both the Yankees and Mets fighting for first place in their respective divisions, it's important to get a series win this weekend and when they match up again in two weeks. But winning two of three—or completing a sweep—is especially important with the tough interleague schedules that each team faces in their next 15 games. 

Of course, a series win would probably be bigger for the Mets, given their perennial underdog status in New York. But beating a powerful NL East team would provide a nice rebound after losing two of three this week to the first-place Washington Nationals. 

The Yankees don't necessarily need the same boost in confidence after series wins over the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays. But winning two or three from the Mets would be a nice start to interleague play before a six-game road trip against the top two teams in the NL East. 

Regardless of what ultimately happens, it's fun to have this series matter again. This won't just be on TV and get the most attention because the two teams play in New York. The six games they play against each other could have an effect on each team's respective seasons.

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