Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
First pitch: 1:35 p.m. ET
TV: MLB Network, YES, SNY
Venue & Weather
Yankee Stadium (capacity ~46,000+, grass surface). Forecast for game time points to mostly cloudy/overcast conditions with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s°F (high around 77–80°F), light southeast winds around 7–10 mph, and low precipitation probability during afternoon hours (generally under 10–20% early, rising later into the evening). Playable conditions expected; monitor for any later showers.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Mets: LHP Zac Thornton (3-5, 3.53 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 51 K in 66.1 IP)
24-year-old rookie left-hander making his 12th start of the season. Solid command (low walk rate) but has shown vulnerability to the long ball (11 HR allowed). Recent form mixed: last outing (Sept. 5 vs. Giants) was rough (5 IP, 6 ER, 4 HR). Capable of quality starts when limiting damage but faces a tough test against the Yankees’ power lineup.
Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole (8-8, 3.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 113 K in 111.0 IP)
Veteran ace returning from prior Tommy John recovery has been effective overall in 2026. Strong strikeout ability and solid WHIP. Recent starts include a 7-inning outing at San Diego (4 ER, multiple HRs early) and better results prior. Home dominance and experience give him the clear edge in this matchup.
Cole holds the pitching advantage on paper against the younger lefty Thornton.
Current Rosters & Key Players
Mets key contributors:
Francisco Lindor (SS), Juan Soto (LF, power/OBP leader ~24 HR), Bo Bichette (3B/INF, ~.265 AVG / 73 RBI), Carson Benge (RF, hot bat ~.272 AVG), Mark Vientos (DH/1B), Marcus Semien (2B), A.J. Ewing (CF, recent HR), Francisco Alvarez (C), Christopher Morel. Offense shows power (182 HR) but inconsistency in runs scored.
Yankees key contributors:
Aaron Judge (RF, still elite when healthy), Ben Rice (DH, standout ~37 HR / 89 RBI), Cody Bellinger (LF, recent multi-HR impact including Friday’s three-run blast), Luis García Jr. (1B), Spencer Jones (CF), Anthony Volpe (INF, recent grand slam return), Ryan McMahon (3B), Austin Wells (C), José Caballero/George Lombard Jr. Strong power attack (201 HR, near MLB lead) and elite pitching staff ERA.
Injury Reports
Mets:
Brett Baty (3B) – Day-to-day (knee; probable).
Cionel Pérez (RP) – 15-day IL (forearm).
Devin Williams (RP) – 15-day IL (shoulder).
Longer-term 60-day: Jorge Polanco (ankle), Reed Garrett (elbow), Tylor Megill (elbow).
Yankees:
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B) – 10-day IL (thumb).
Trent Grisham (CF) – 10-day IL (hamstring).
Fernando Cruz (RP) – 15-day IL (elbow).
Ryan Weathers (SP) – 15-day IL (forearm).
Longer-term 60-day: Giancarlo Stanton (calf), Clarke Schmidt (elbow), Kervin Castro (elbow).
Recent Team Forms & Series Context
Mets: 68-79 overall (34-39 away), 4th in NL East. Dropped Friday’s series opener 6-4 after a strong recent stretch (swept Miami with high-scoring wins; last 10 roughly 7-3). Offense can explode but pitching has been inconsistent.
Yankees: 85-62 overall (41-31 home), 2nd in AL East (chasing the division while solidifying wild-card positioning). On a strong home run (six-game home winning streak noted in previews; overall recent 7-3 last 10). Friday’s win featured Bellinger’s three-run HR and Rice’s power on the 9/11 anniversary. Pitching staff leads MLB in ERA.
Series: Season series tied 2-2 entering the weekend; Yankees lead the current three-game Subway Series 1-0 after Friday’s victory. Historic rivalry with strong recent intensity.
Key Player vs. Player / Matchup Notes
Cole (RHP, high-K stuff) vs. Mets lefty bats: Soto and Benge present challenges, but Cole’s experience and ability to miss bats favor him. Lindor and Bichette offer contact threats.
Thornton (LHP) vs. Yankees: Left-handed looks could neutralize some righty power, but Rice, Bellinger, Judge, and García Jr. have shown the ability to punish mistakes. Thornton’s HR vulnerability is a concern in Yankee Stadium.
Late innings: Yankees bullpen (Bednar as closer) has been reliable; Mets bullpen thinned by injuries.
Betting Trends
Yankees strong at home with elite pitching and power. Mets have scored in bunches recently but struggle on the road against top arms. Totals lean competitive given both starters’ ERAs; Yankees have been efficient at limiting runs. Unders have value in some Cole starts; overs possible if power connects early.
Game Odds
New York Mets 8
New York Yankees – 158
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 11, 2026
