Fans can prepare for a Friday night rumble in the Bronx, as the New York Yankees host cross-town rivals the New York Mets in a Subway Series showdown. <\/p>\n
NYM: Dillon Gee (4-3, 4.48) v NYY: Phil Hughes (5-5, 4.96) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Unlike season’s passed, this year’s matchup actually counts for something other than bragging rights, as both the Yanks and the Mets are fighting for top honors in their respective divisions, each 1-1\/2 games out of first place.<\/p>\n So when the two teams began their three-game set on Friday, there was plenty at stake.<\/p>\n The Mets came into the series riding a one-game winning streak after ending a three-game skid with a 3-1 win at Washington on Thursday, and will look to do much better than last year after dropping four of six in the Subway Series in 2011, including a pair at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n While the Mets will lean offensively on third baseman David Wright who coming into the set was 6-for-17 in his last four games, while batting .410 in his last nine road meetings with the Yankees. Defensively, it will all start with right-handed pitcher Dillon Gee.<\/p>\n The 26-year old Gee is coming off a 5-4 loss to St. Louis on Monday, where he surrendered three runs — two earned — and six hits in seven innings. It was his second straight no-decision in 11 starts. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n Although not really known as a strikeout pitcher, Gee is already more than halfway to surpassing his 110 strikeouts from last season, and will try to improve his record against the Yanks to 4-0, after going 3-0 with a 3.76 ERA in four road games this season.<\/p>\n Facing Gee is not good news for the Yankees who are battling it out with AL East leaders Baltimore and Tampa Bay, who they fell 7-3 against on Thursday.<\/p>\n Winners of 10-of-14 coming into their series with the Mets, the Yanks had been playing well despite a rough stretch for Derek Jeter, who was 2-for-20 in five games with just a solo homer in and a .319 batting average.<\/p>\n With the offense struggling, the Yankees will rely on pitching and will hand the ball to 25-year old Phil Hughes who outdueled Justin Verlander during Sunday’s 5-1 win at Detroit, striking out eight in his second career-complete game. Although he has yet to appear against the Mets this season, Gee is 3-2 with a 4.82 ERA in five starts at home this season.<\/p>\n
\nDate\/Time: Friday, June 8 – 7:05 PM EST
\nVenue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
\nBroadcast: SNY\/ YES
\nLINE: Yankees -153
\nTOTAL: 9.5<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nA marked improvement over his prior start in which he surrendered a career-high 11 hits.<\/p>\n