Mets vs. Yankees (August 22): Will Scherzer stymie the Bronx Bombers in Subway Series showdown?

After a much-needed win over the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, the New York Yankees will look to get some momentum going to start this week as they host the New York Mets for two games tonight and tomorrow.

After losing the first three games of their series against the Blue Jays, the Yankees were staring at seeing their lead in the AL East reduced to six games.

But recent trade acquisition Andrew Benintendi stepped up with his first homer with his new team, a two-run blast in the seventh off of Adam Cimber, to break a 2-2 tie and send the Yankees on their way to a huge 4-2 win.

Benny BOOM ? pic.twitter.com/f3dV2TQCER

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 21, 2022

Will that homer prove to be the moment that things turn around for the Yankees? A win tonight over Max Scherzer and the Mets would only bring more confidence, but it will be a tough task, even at home.

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: New York Mets (79-44, 39-25 away, 1st in the NL East) vs. New York Yankees (74-48, 43-20 home, 1st in the AL East)
• Venue & Location: Yankee Stadium (New York, New York)
• Date: Monday, August 22, 2022
• Game Time: 7:05 p.m. Eastern Time
• Mets vs. Yankees TV Info: MLB Network

Mets vs. Yankees Pitching Matchup

• New York Mets: Max Scherzer (2022: 17 starts, 9-2, 2.15 ERA)
• New York Yankees: Domingo German (2022: 6 starts, 1-2, 4.45 ERA)

Mets vs. Yankees Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from other top legal sports betting sites may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• New York Mets -154
• New York Yankees +130

Over/Under

• Over 7.5 (-105)
• Under 7.5 (-115)

Run Line

• New York Mets -1.5 (+108)
• New York Yankees +1.5 (-130)

Will Scherzer’s Cy Young Push Start Tonight?

Early on this season, Max Scherzer was on course to make a serious run at winning his fourth Cy Young Award. Then he missed the better part of two months due to an oblique strain suffered in mid-May.

But by virtue of being outstanding since his return in early July, Scherzer is poised to make things very interesting, at the very least.

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara (-280 at BetOnline) remains a firm favorite, with reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes (+650) next in line, followed by Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin (+1500).

But Scherzer (+2300) is charging hard, and even allowing four runs in six innings last Wednesday at Atlanta hasn’t slowed his momentum.

In August, he is 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts, and since his return to action last month, he is 4-1 with a 1.82 ERA in nine starts.

Pre- and Post-Injury Splits for Max Scherzer

• First Eight Starts (pre-injury on May 18): 5-1, 2.54 ERA, 49.2 IP, 36 H, 15 R (14 ER), 5 HR, 11 BB, 59 K
• Last Nine Starts (since returning on July 5): 4-1, 1.82 ERA, 59.1 IP, 45 H, 13 R (12 ER), 3 HR, 9 BB, 75 K

Alcantara has built up a solid lead on the other contenders, but he has come back to the field a bit recently by allowing 4+ runs three times in his last five starts. So, the door is certainly open.

Scherzer will need to make the most of every start he has from here to push Alcantara, Burnes, and Gonsolin and stay ahead of the likes of Max Fried (+3200), Carlos Rodon (+4000), and Mets closer Edwin Diaz (+4000), but the door is open.

A gem tonight at Yankee Stadium will only help that door open wider. Scherzer was outstanding against the Yankees in a no-decision on July 27, allowing five hits and two walks and striking out six in seven shutout innings.

The Yankees stemmed their second half slide yesterday, but they still managed only six hits and two walks and struck out a dozen times. Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah was excellent before giving way to losing pitcher Cimber, allowing two runs, four hits, and a walk and striking out eight.

New York Mets vs. New York Yankees Prediction and Picks

Mets vs. Yankees Prediction: Mets to win

Mets vs. Yankees Picks: Mets ML (Best Value: -154 at BetOnline) & Yankees team total under 3 runs (Best Value: +102 at BetOnline)

The Yankees got a win they desperately needed yesterday, but it’s hard to be convinced that they will do much against Scherzer tonight.

They don’t hit well against right-handed pitching, and given that Scherzer has pitched at least six innings in all but two of his starts this season, there’s a good chance that the Yankees will be in a hole when he exits the game.

And when he exits, they might have to deal with more righties in former Yankee Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo, and Diaz, who allowed his first run since June 18 yesterday against the Phillies.

For some added action, the over on Scherzer’s strikeout over/under (set at 7.5) is also worth a look.

The Yankees struck out nine times against Jose Berrios, seven times against Kevin Gausman, and eight times against Manoah, and Scherzer has tallied 8+ strikeouts six times in nine starts since returning from injury.

More Mets vs. Yankees Content

• Mets vs. Yankees Odds, Stats & Trends (8/22)