Mets at Yankees (Game 1)
The latest edition of the Subway Series could not get off the ground Monday due to a rain-soaked New York City, but the rival Mets and Yankees will make up for it with a day-night doubleheader Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers entered Monday tied for first in the American League East after salvaging the finale of a 2-4 road trip at Cleveland on Sunday.
Prior to Monday's rainout, manager Aaron Boone announced that right fielder Aaron Judge (oblique) could appear in rehab games as soon as this weekend, and fellow slugger Giancarlo Stanton (biceps) is set to begin his rehab stint Tuesday. The Mets (32-33) have won four of their last five to get within a game of .500, scoring at least five runs in each of those four victories. A lineup that has produced 15 home runs in eight games this month will take aim at Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka in the matinee and lefty James Paxton at night. The Mets counter with Zack Wheeler in the opener and Jason Vargas in the evening.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (Mets), YES (Yankees)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (5-3, 4.61 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (3-5, 3.42)
Wheeler has pitched at least seven innings in four straight starts and in eight of his last 10. He allowed three runs in seven innings while striking out six in a no-decision against San Francisco on Thursday. The 29-year-old faced the Yankees just once back in 2014, allowing five runs on seven hits and six walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Tanaka got an extra day off for paternity leave and is making his first start since last Tuesday when he allowed four runs and six hits - including two home runs - over six innings in a loss at Toronto. The Japan native is winless in his last four outings and surrendered a total of nine runs - eight earned - and 15 hits across 12 innings over his last two turns. Tanaka struck out eight and yielded only one hit - a solo home run - over five innings in his lone start against the Mets last season but did not factor in the decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets on Monday sent 2B Robinson Cano (quad), OF Brandon Nimmo (neck) and LHP Justin Wilson (elbow) on rehab assignments.
2. Yankees 2B D.J. LeMahieu has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, batting .313 in that span.
3. The teams split six meetings last season.