Mets eye franchise-best 12th straight win in Subway Series opener
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Subway Series should have a little extra juice on Friday when the 2015 edition of the battle for New York kicks off at Yankee Stadium.
The Mets matched a franchise-record with their 11th straight win on Thursday and completed their first perfect 10-0 homestand in team history, while the Yankees return home after winning seven of 10 on the road.
The Mets' streak has pushed their record to an MLB-best 13-3, matching the 1986 team for the best 16-game start in team history.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It's a huge accomplishment," said New York manager Terry Collins on the perfect homestand. "It's hard to do against the talent in the big leagues."
The franchise has won 11 straight only four other times, last accomplishing the feat June 17-29, 1990.
"We're going to enjoy it tonight, but we have a tough road trip ahead of us going across town," added Collins.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Even more remarkable for the Mets is the fact that they are doing it without David Wright, who has missed the last eight games because of a strained right hamstring.
Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom gets the call for the Mets on Friday trying for his third straight win.
deGrom has picked up right where he left off last season and hasn't allowed a run since giving u a two-run homer to Washington's Ryan Zimmerman in the first inning of his first start.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 26-year-old righty pushed his scoreless innings streak to 18 1/3 innings on Saturday against Miami, as he scattered six hits over seven scoreless innings to improve to 2-1, while lowering his ERA to an absurd 0.93.
To walk out in that mound in this setting and be cool and calm, it's a tribute to the makeup he's got," Mets manager Terry Collins said of deGrom. "The Minor League coaches that had this guy, they said he's special. And they hit it right on the head."
deGrom lost to the Yanks last season, but only gave up a run and four hits in seven innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Opposing him for the Yankees on Friday will be righty Michael Pineda, who is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA. Pineda didn't have his best stuff Sunday versus Tampa Bay, but gutted his way through 5 2/3 innings, as he allowed three runs and seven hits.
"I'm happy. We won the game and that's what I'm looking for," Pineda said. "I didn't have good stuff today, but I tried to make adjustments and throw the ball good."
The Yankees also come into this matchup red-hot after taking three of four from the Detroit Tigers and have won six of seven overall to move into a three-team tie atop the AL East.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"When you win six of seven, a lot of it has to do with your starting pitching," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "They are holding teams down late into games and letting us get into the bullpen. From there, if you get a few timely hits, you win the game."
These teams split four games against one another last year, but the Mets have won four in a row in the Bronx.