When the New York Yankees and New York Mets faced each other for the first time in franchise history in 1997, the modern Subway Series began. The teams began playing a best-of-3 series in 1999. Taking into consideration all games since 1997, the New York Yankees lead the series 42 games to 30.

As per the MLB news, the New York Yankees are scheduled to send Phil Hughes, Javier Vazquez, and CC Sabathia to the pitcher’s mound for the first series of 2010. Phil Hughes and CC Sabathia have both been very good while Vazquez has struggled so far this season. The New York Mets will counter with Jonathan Niese, Mike Pelfrey, and Johan Santana. Once again, both Pelfrey and Santana have been very solid, but Niese has struggled in the early part of the season.

It is getting embarrassed is one thing that a professional baseball team dislikes. However, when the New York Mets lost 5 of 6 games to the Yankees, that is exactly what happened to them last year in this series. This weekend, the New York Mets will be looking for revenge in what should be a great series.

Two players return with batting averages over 320. The offense will set the tone for 2010. Opposing pitchers can not pitch around anybody. They will put nine players in the lineup that can beat you.

One question for New York is their pitching staff. With players getting one year older will it affect them. Andy Petite is in his upper 30s and still in the rotation. CC Sabathia and A. J. Burnett should be in there prime. Ace reliever Mariano Rivera at 40 plus could be on his down hill slide. With gold glove fielders like Derek Jeter behind them they should still be alright. If players like Alex Rodriguez can put their steroid accusations behind them and get back to playing the caliber of ball expected the Yankees will make a run to the World Series again.

Coach Joe Girardi has blended this all star cast into a ball team.