Yankees-Mets Series Preview: CC Sabathia-R.A. Dickey Matchup Highlights Rematch
June 21, 2012 · Jordan Schwartz · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
In this year’s first Subway Series two weeks ago, the Yankees capped their sweep of the Mets with a walk-off homer by Russell Martin.
This time around, the series will end with a highly anticipated pitching matchup between CC Sabathia and R.A. Dickey.
Let’s take a look at matchups in all three games of this weekend’s set at Citi Field.
Friday, June 22: Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.77 ERA) vs. Jon Niese (4-3, 3.82 ERA)
This is a rematch of the Martin game that the Yanks won 5-4. In that contest, Niese out-dueled Pettitte, allowing just two unearned runs over seven innings of work, while the Bombers’ left-hander surrendered three runs, two earned, over six frames.
You could make a strong case for Pettitte being the team’s MVP thus far. His 2.77 ERA is tops among starters, and the Yankees are 22-13 since his return on May 13, winning his last three starts, all of which were quality appearances.
The 40-year-old is 8-5 with a 3.66 ERA in 20 career starts against the Mets, including a 3-2 record and 3.29 ERA in 11 outings at Shea Stadium. This will be his first go at Citi Field.
The current Mets roster hits a lofty .319 off Pettitte, led by David Wright, who is 11-for-24 (.458) with two homers, and Scott Hairston, who is 6-for-15 (.400) with three doubles.
Niese, meanwhile, has had great success in his two career starts against the Yankees, allowing just three earned runs and striking out 13 in 13 frames (2.08 ERA), yet he is 0-1.
Robinson Cano figures to have a good game in the series opener. He is 4-for-6 with a double and an RBI off Niese.
Saturday, June 23: Ivan Nova (9-2, 4.32 ERA) vs. Chris Young (1-1, 3.06 ERA)
An unusually high amount of run support has a lot to do with Nova’s career 26-8 record, but his current five-start winning streak is mostly due to great pitching. Over his last three outings, the right-hander is 3-0 with a microscopic 0.79 ERA, and he will look to keep things going against a team he has never faced.
Young has surrendered exactly two earned runs per start since being called up on June 5. The former Ranger and Padre is 1-0 with a 6.23 ERA in two career outings against the Yankees.
Eric Chavez should get the start Saturday, as he is 4-for-11 (.364) with two RBI off Young. Martin has also had success, going 8-for-25 (.320) with six walks. Andruw Jones, meanwhile, has an interesting stat line against Young. He is just 3-for-14 (.214), but all three of those hits have been homers.
Sunday, June 24: CC Sabathia (9-3, 3.55 ERA) vs. R.A. Dickey (11-1, 2.00 ERA)
Dickey is currently the best pitcher in baseball. He leads the majors in both wins and ERA and on Monday, he became the first NL pitcher to toss back-to-back one-hitters in 68 years.
The knuckleballer has not given up an earned run in 42.6 innings, which is the second-longest streak in club history, behind only Dwight Gooden’s 49 straight frames in 1985.
In his last appearance against the Orioles on Monday, Dickey became the first pitcher in the history of the game with five consecutive starts of zero earned runs and at least eight strikeouts.
And the right-hander has had success against the Yankees as well, going 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in nine outings (three starts).
Curtis Granderson (3-for-15), Derek Jeter (2-for-10), Nick Swisher (1-for-10) and Mark Teixeira (2-for-11) have all struggled against Dickey.
However, Alex Rodriguez (6-for-13), Chavez (4-for-12) and Raul Ibanez (8-for-25, three HR) have gotten to him.
But the Yanks have a Cy Young candidate starting for them as well on Sunday. Sabathia struck out 10 in a complete-game win over the Braves on Monday and currently ranks among the top three in the AL in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts.
The big lefty is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts against the Mets, including a 1-1 record and 4.50 mark at Citi Field.
He’s kept David Wright in check (2-for-9), but Ike Davis (3-for-6) and Andres Torres (5-for-11) have had success.
Follow Jordan Schwartz on Twitter @JordanHarrison.
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