Yankees cruise into Subway Series with joy and advantage

Busted and bruised, the Yankees return to the Bronx for a two-game Subway Series, as Masahiro Tanaka will take Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader after returning from paternity leave.

Masahiro Tanaka’s fatherly glee will likely carry extra joy into the Yankees matchup against the crosstown rivals the Mets. Though giving up eight earned runs in his last 12 innings, keep in mind that Tanaka had a 2.15 ERA in his previous five starts.

The Subway Series has always been a place for the Yanks to get ramped up without facing the intense ill will seen in places like Fenway.

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Manager Aaron Boone recently expressed his positive feeling about the inter-state contest. Per George A. King III of the New York Post:

"“I like it, 162-game season it’s something different and gets your juices flowing, knowing you are playing the other team you share the city with,’’ said Boone.“National League, American League, obviously it interests a lot of people. Those kind of series and games during the course of a long season are fun to be a part of. You can tell in those games and feel in those games that it does matter to a lot of people and those are fun things to be a part of.’’"

The Yankees have the edge, as they lead the Mets 69-49 since interleague play began back in 1997. A loss or two could throw a wrench in the Mets’ mechanics, but it’s just a blip on the radar for the first-place Bombers.

The tale of the tape shows the Yankees in the lead as they have a team average of .255 versus the Mets’ .249. The Yankees also lead in home runs with 102 home runs as compared to the Mets’ 88.

Mets fans should fully expect to be outnumbered. They know there is a good chance they will lose. And yet, it’s OK with them.

In this series, Mets and Yankees fans, alike, can relax and be themselves. Whether at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field, it’s a time for New Yorkers to stand in solidarity with their brethren. Inhabitants of the same city can spar good-naturedly and still go home without fear.