New York Yankees @ New York Mets: Cam Schlittler vs. Clay Holmes

Q: What are Cam Schlittler's current stats for the Yankees?

Cam Schlittler has a record of 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

Q: How has Clay Holmes performed as a Mets starter this season?

Clay Holmes has a 1.86 ERA over 48.1 innings pitched across eight starts, allowing no more than two runs in any outing.

Q: What injuries are affecting the Mets lineup for the Subway Series?

The Mets are missing key players including Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco due to injuries.

Q: How do the Yankees and Mets' current standings compare?

The Yankees are pursuing a postseason run, while the Mets are struggling near the bottom of the standings.

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees warms up in the bullpen prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images The first Subway Series matchup of the season features a pitching duel that, a few years ago, would have sounded completely ridiculous. Currently the best starter on the Yankees staff, Cam Schlittler enters Friday night looking less like a youngster trying to stick in a rotation and more like a legitimate Cy Young contender, while former Yankees closer Clay Holmes gets the nod in Queens for the Mets. There is not much more to say about Schlittler at this point other than he has simply been dominant. Entering play Thursday, the Yankees’ 25-year-old right-hander led Major League Baseball in ERA, FIP, WHIP, and H/9. For fun, pick between one of these two stat lines so far this season: pitcher one is 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, while pitcher two is 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. If you took the former, congratulations, you picked Paul Skenes. If you picked the latter, you picked Schlittler. In his last outing, Schlittler tossed another gem, allowing just two hits and no runs before watching the Yankees’ bullpen let the game slip away late in . The Yankees have already seen Schlittler rise to the occasion in rivalry games this season, particularly at Fenway Park against Boston, and now he gets to take center stage across town. A strong outing Friday night against the Mets would only continue building what is rapidly becoming one of the best stories in baseball. Of course, on the other side stands a very familiar face. Holmes’ transition from Yankees closer to Mets starter last year has gone far better than many expected, as the right-hander enters tonight with a 1.86 ERA across 48.1 innings pitched over eight starts. Impressively, Holmes has yet to allow more than two runs in a single outing while consistently working at least five innings deep into games. Really putting together, a quality performance each start. If the National League was not currently in the middle of a potential all-time great Cy Young race and the Mets were not buried near the bottom of the standings, Holmes would probably be receiving much more national attention for the season he is putting together. Yankees fans know better than most that Holmes possesses electric stuff. His first season as a starter was a success, and his performance so far this season shows he has continued to build off those positive results. The pitching matchup may headline the night, but both offenses enter the series with very different levels of pressure. The Yankees continue to lean on one of the streakiest lineups in baseball that has several players yet to have a hot streak, while the Mets arrive in the Subway Series battered by injuries. , Francisco Alvarez, , and are all currently on the injured list and has struggled badly, leaving as one of the few consistent and dangerous bats remaining in the lineup. Soto’s status carried some uncertainty entering Friday after fouling a ball off his foot earlier this week. However, after being listed as day-to-day and serving as the designated hitter Thursday (while homering), Soto returns to left field and bats third in the opener. The Mets will hope his health holds up for the weekend as the lineup around him has struggled to consistently generate offense for much of the season. The Yankees go with a lefty-heavy lineup tonight, as and are the only two right-handed hitters scheduled to start. Spencer Jones, a day removed from his 25th birthday, serves as the designated hitter while batting seventh in the lineup. Aaron Boone has publicly said the coaching staff needs to get offensively, and the Yankees will hope the off day and return home to can help right the ship. Naturally, this being the Subway Series, both teams arrive in Queens through very different circumstances. The back pages of the sports section show the Yankees chasing another postseason run while the Mets are simply trying to stay afloat after a disappointing start to the season. Rivalry games always seem to take on a life of their own regardless of what the standings say, and with both teams struggling recently, both clubs will hope this series can help build some positive momentum. Subway Series, let’s play ball! **How to watch** **Location**: Citi Field – Flushing, NY **First pitch**: 7:15 pm ET **TV broadcast**: Apple TV **Radio broadcast**: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2 **Streaming:** MLB.tv (out-of-market only) For updates, follow us on , , and , and like us on .