Game Chat: Mets vs. Yankees, 7:10 P.M.

Sunday, May 18, 2025 • 7:10 PM
Yankee Stadium • Bronx, NY
LHP David Peterson (2-2, 3.05) vs. LHP Max Fried (6-0, 1.11)
ESPN

Talk about poetry and drama in the Subway Series!

Friday night, Juan Soto recorded the last out. Saturday afternoon, Aaron Judge recorded the last out. With the series on the line the New York Yankees turn to Max Fried, the pitcher they signed after Juan Soto turned down their massive offer.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – RF
3. Pete Alonso – 1B
4. Mark Vientos – 3B
5. Brandon Nimmo – LF
6. Starling Marte – DH
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. Jeff McNeil – CF
9. Luisangel Acuña – 2B

David Peterson has pitched 44 1/3 innings over eight starts this year with a 3.05 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.353 WHIP, and a 128 ERA+. He has allowed two earned runs or less in four consecutive starts and has pitched six innings in back-to-back starts.

There have been two concerns lately, though. First, he’s allowed seven walks in his last two starts. He walked only nine batters in the six starts before that. He’s also allowed a home run in each of his last two starts, after going five straight starts without allowing any home runs.

The Yankees have the following career numbers against Peterson:

• Cody Bellinger 0-4, K
• Trent Grisham 1-4, K
• Aaron Judge 0-1, BB
• DJ LeMahieu 0-1, BB
• Anthony Volpe 1-3, 2 K

Yankees Lineup

1. Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
2. Trent Grisham – CF
3. Aaron Judge – RF
4. Cody Bellinger – LF
5. Anthony Volpe – SS
6. Jasson Domínguez – DH
7. DJ LeMahieu – 2B
8. Austin Wells – C
9. Oswald Peraza – 3B

Max Fried is living up to his massive eight-year, $218 million deal early on. Over 56 2/3 innings (nine starts), he has a 1.11 ERA (league leading), 2.85 FIP, 0.935 WHIP, and a 356 ERA+ (league leading). From late April to early May he went three consecutive starts without allowing a run.

The good news for the Mets is he has allowed runs in back-to-back starts (two runs in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts). Fried held the Mets scoreless and hitless over seven innings in his only start against them in 2024, but this was also during the Mets’ free falling month of May.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Fried:

• Pete Alonso 10-36, 2B, 2 HR, 6 BB, 12 K
• Francisco Alvarez 1-4
• José Azócar 2-4
• Brett Baty 2-6, 3 K
• Francisco Lindor 3-28, HR, 6 K
• Starling Marte 4-21, 2 2B, BB, 5 K
• Jeff McNeil 10-31, 3 2B, BB, 6 K
• Brandon Nimmo 3-27, 2 2B, 5 BB, 11 K
• Juan Soto 9-27, 2B, 5 BB, 9 K
• Tyrone Taylor 2-7, 2 K

Game Notes

The Mets released veteran outfielder Billy McKinney. He was playing for Triple-A Syracuse.

Jared Young continued his terrific beginning of the season. He went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in Triple-A Syracuse’s loss on Sunday. Pitcher Brandon Waddell had by far his worst start of the season, allowing six earned runs in 2/3 of an inning. His season ERA still sits at a strong 3.06.

Double-A Binghamton improved their Eastern League-best record to 22-16 on Sunday. Binghamton’s top four of their lineup combined to go 10-for-17.

High-A outfielder, and former first-round pick, Carson Benge had a massive day for Brooklyn. In their extra-innings contest, Benge went 2-for-3 with a home run, double, four RBIs, and two walks. His season OPS is now .919.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Pete Alonso. Pete Alonso, the best hitter on the Mets by OPS, is the key player for Sunday’s game. Friday night, he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Saturday, he went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. When he hits well, the Mets win the games because the people in front of him are getting on base. Alonso also has terrific career numbers against Fried, who has been cruising through lineups this season.
2. Aaron Judge. Judge feasted on the Mets Friday, but Saturday was a different story. Judge went 0-for-5 at the plate with three strikeouts lowering in his batting average to .402. The Mets just need to keep him contained for one more game.
3. Who is available in the Mets’ bullpen? The Mets needed to use three high leverage relievers yesterday (Reed Garrett, Huascar Brazobán, and Edwin Díaz), all throwing between 17 and 23 pitches. All three pitchers had at least three days of rest before yesterday’s game, so they may having something in the tank for Sunday. Ryne Stanek hasn’t pitched since Tuesday and it feels likely we’ll see him at some point tonight.

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