Yankees-Mets Close Out Subway Series Pro Baseball Handicapping Preview

The New York Yankees have won the 2011 Subway Series and now look to continue their winning streak Sunday in closing things out against the New York Mets at Citi Field

New York Yankees at New York Mets

The New York Yankees are a Major League-best 24-4 in day games

The New York Yankees improved to a season-high 19 games over .500 courtesy of a 5-2 road win over the Mets Saturday. The Yankees clubhouse is also ecstatic about carrying a season-high seven-game winning streak into Sunday’s series finale. “I’m pleased with the way we’ve played,” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “Our guys have kept at it. They’re businesslike and they go to work every day.” Right now the club would like to chance the rest of its scheduled games to daytime starts, posting an incredible 24-4 record under the sun this season, which is by far the best mark in baseball. The pitching staff has been a big proponent in that success, leading the AL with a 2.79 daytime ERA.

Yankees starting pitcher Freddy Garcia is 7-6 with a 3.28 ERA in 15 appearances (14 starts) this season. The right-hander has registered back-to-back victories over the Reds and Brewers heading into this contest, giving up four runs (two earned) and 11 hits in 13 innings of work. Garcia has an even 2-2 mark and 2.83 ERA in six road appearances (five starts), issuing just 10 walks in 35 frames. In three previous tries versus the Mets, the veteran has recorded a 1-2 record and 2.61 ERA. He ended up on the losing end against them last time out on May 20 at Yankee Stadium, allowing just two runs and five hits over seven strong frames.

The New York Mets have lost three straight games and may have lost sure-thing All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes to a severe hamstring injury. Reyes is scheduled for an MRI exam on Sunday morning. After enjoying a four-game winning streak, everything has headed south for the squad, falling to 2-2-4 in the club’s seasonal matchup with the intra-city rivals since 2004. The Mets are still 126-120 all-time during interleague action, but just 34-49 against the Bronx Bombers. Daytime games have provided little edge for the squad, going 14-14 in 28 such contests, but the ‘over’ is 18-9.

Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey is 4-7 with a 3.77 ERA in 17 outings (16 starts) this year and has led the club to consecutive victories. He came away with a 14-3 road win over the Tigers last time out, surrendering three runs on 10 hits over seven frames. The knuckleballer has struggled at home, entering with a dismal 1-5 mark and 4.18 ERA, surrendering six home runs in 56 frames. Dickey is also just 1-4 with a 4.59 ERA in seven daytime appearances (six starts), as opponents are hitting .333 against him. He registered a 2-1 victory over Garcia in one of the earlier meetings, giving up just a single run and four hits in six innings.