One of the most highly-anticipated Subway Series in years kicks off Friday night at Citi Field as the Yankees and Mets clash in a Battle of the Boroughs at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y.

Players To Watch For On Every Contending NL Team

This will mark the first time the Subway Series ever takes place in September and it has playoff implications for both teams. The Mets eight games up on the Nationals for first place in the NL East, while the Yankees own a four-game lead in the wild-card and trail the Blue Jays for the AL East lead by 3 1/2 games.

Players To Watch For On Every Contending AL Team

Friday: Masahiro Tanaka (12-6, 3.40 ERA) vs. Steven Matz (3-0, 1.88)

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

This game can be live streamed here (with subscription to MLB.tv, subject to blackouts)

Preview: Matz, a Long Island native, grew up rooting for the Mets and watching the Subway Series. He'll take the mound to start in this rivalry for the first time in his career. Tanaka is still dealing with a slightly torn UCL, but has had a solid campaign for the Yankees. Two players to watch in this series are Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who has ignited the team since being called up, and Yankees rookie first baseman Greg Bird, who has taken over for the injured Mark Teixeira. Both get their first taste of Subway Series action.
Prediction: Yankees 7, Mets 6

Saturday: Michael Pineda (10-8, 4.25) vs. Noah Syndergaard (8-6, 3.20)

Time: 1:10 p.m. ET

This game can be live streamed for free here.

Preview: Pineda had a strong start to the season, but has faltered as of late, pitching to a 10.38 ERA in August and then a 5.57 ERA this month. Syndergaard, a rookie, plays better at home (7-1, 2.15) than on the road (1-5, 4.57).
Prediction: Mets, 5, Yankees 3

Sunday: CC Sabathia (4-9, 4.93) vs. Matt Harvey (12-7, 2.88)

Time: 8:05 p.m. ET

This game can be live streamed for free here.

Preview: Sabathia struggled mightily throughout most of the season, but he's settled down as of late. The Yankee pitcher owns a 0.79 ERA this month. It's unknown how long Harvey will pitch for as he had a much-publicized innings limit controversy and the Mets are going to be careful with him. Harvey has mostly been solid in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, but he was lit up for seven runs and eight hits last time out.
Prediction: Mets 4, Yankees 2

The Yankees lead the Mets 58-43 in all-time Subway Series meetings in the regular season, and won the 2000 World Series against them in five games. The Bronx Bombers defeated their Queens counterparts two out of three in April at Yankee Stadium.

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