NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 04: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets dives safely back into second base as shortstop Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees applies the last tag on a fielders choice hit by Alejandro De Aza #16 in the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Both New York-based Major League Baseball teams will face off at Yankee Stadium on Monday night for the opener of a four-game series.
The Yankees (61-55) lost to Boston (67-50) 3-2 on Sunday night, and now sit 5.5 games behind the American League East-leading Red Sox for second place in the division.
The Mets (53-62) defeated the Phillies 6-2 in Philadelphia on Sunday and are now 16.5 games behind the Washington Nationals (70-46) for third in the National League East. The Mets also traded second baseman Neil Walker to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night in exchange for a player to be named later.
Walker is the fourth veteran Mets player to have left the team in recent weeks, after Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, and Jay Bruce. All four will become free agents following this season.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Monday’s series opener will begin at 7:05 pm EST, and will be broadcast on ESPN, SNY and the YES Network.
Right-hander Luis Cessa (0-3, 4.88 ERA, 25K) will start for the Yankees in place of the injured Masahiro Tanaka. In four starts this season, Cessa has allowed 14 runs (12 earned) in 17 1/3 innings (6.23 ERA) as a starter.
The Mets will counter with righty Rafael Montero (1-8, 6.06 ERA, 68K). Montero has been 0-4 with a 6.48 ERA since the beginning of July. Manager Terry Collins said his team does not currently have many other rotation options left besides Montero.
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 04: Curtis Granderson #3 of the New York Mets dives safely back into second base as shortstop Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees applies the last tag on a fielders choice hit by Alejandro De Aza #16 in the fifth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2016 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Mets defeated the Yankees 4-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Joe Bitonio announced his retirement last week, closing the book on a remarkable 12-year career…
The Giannis Antetokounmpo situation remains one of the biggest stories in the NBA, as speculation…
The New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought last Friday night, defeating the San…
Charles Barkley found himself at the center of controversy once again after comments he made…
Atlanta Dream's Angel Reese continues to find herself in physical battles in the WNBA. As…
The Carolina Hurricanes are NHL champions. They snapped a 20-year championship drought with a victory…