Are the New York Mets (18-25) back?

Maybe… Maybe not… The Mets swept a three-game series from the Detroit Tigers, their first sweep since August of 2025. They came from behind in all three wins, something the team has struggled with since the start of last season. Could this week be a turning point?

The Mets will look to continue their positive run against the New York Yankees (27-17), who own the fourth-best record in all of baseball. They have lost four of their last six games, however, most recently dropping a series against the Baltimore Orioles. It should be an entertaining matchup.

Let’s take a look at some notes ahead of the three pitching matchups this weekend.

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PITCHING MATCHUPS

  • Friday: Cam Schlittler (5-1, 1.35 ERA) vs. Clay Holmes (4-3, 1.86 ERA): Schlittler is one of, if not the most intriguing up-and-coming starter in the game. He is 6’6″ with fastball velocity that can rise above 100 mph. That’s a nightmare combination for most opposing hitters. Schlittler’s 1.35 ERA is the best mark among qualified pitchers in the American League. He has given up one earned run or less in seven of his first nine starts. Holmes’ stuff is not as flashy as Schlittler’s, but he has provided a similar level of production. He has allowed two earned runs or less in all eight of his starts this season. In three starts at home, he is 1-1 with a 1.47 ERA over 18 1/3 innings. Holmes will make his first career appearance against the Yankees Friday.
  • Saturday: Carlos Rodón (0-0, 6.23 ERA) vs. TBD: Rodón will make his second start of the season after beginning the year on the injured list following offseason elbow surgery. His first outing wasn’t pretty: three earned runs on two hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday. Rodón is 3-1 with 3.48 ERA in four career starts against the Mets. This is David Peterson‘s spot in the rotation. However, using an opener before going to the lefty in bulk relief has been a successful strategy as of late. Over his last 16 innings in that role, Peterson has only given up three earned runs. As a starter, he is 0-4 with a 8.10 ERA. As a reliever, he is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA. That’s a stark difference. For the time being, expect Peterson to remain in that role.
  • Sunday: Ryan Weathers (2-2, 3.00 ERA) vs. Freddy Peralta (3-3, 3.10 ERA): The Yankees took a flyer on Weathers, acquiring him for the Miami Marlins in January. The expectation was that he would begin the season as a starter, but once guys returned from injury, he would move into the bullpen. But with Gerrit Cole still working his way back and now Max Fried potentially going on the injured list, the situation has changed. Weathers owns a 1.88 ERA over his last 24 innings. Peralta has pitched well for most of this season. The only missing piece was providing a bit more length. Peralta has done a better job of that recently, throwing six innings in two of his last three starts. Peralta is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in one career start against the Yankees.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

A lot of attention will be on Juan Soto and how he performs this weekend. In six games against his former team last season, the superstar outfielder slashed .238/.385/.429 with one home run and three RBIs. Soto will probably see very few good pitches to hit as a result of the Mets missing a handful of big bats in their lineup. Can he make the Yankees pay when they make a mistake in the middle of the zone? That will not only be key for Soto’s success, but the team as a whole.

PREDICTION

Since 2018, the Yankees are 7-13 against the Mets at Citi Field. Will that trend continue? Can Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing make a big impact in their first Subway Series? I think the Mets have started to turn the corner and will win two of three against their crosstown rivals.