The Subway Series kicks off as Hiroki Kuroda (2-3, 4.43 ERA) goes toe to toe with Bartolo Colon (2-5, 5.36 ERA) in game one of four. In his last start, Kuroda held the Angels to three runs (one earned) going a season high 7 2/3 innings and fanning eight. Post game he said he had a nasty splitter and an improved slider going. He has had some Subway Series success in his time as a Yankee. In nine career starts against the Mets, he is 2-5 with a 4.14 ERA. He stuck out seven over seven shutout innings at Citi Field last year. But that did not help the Yankees, who lost that game and went on to get swept.
Colon has been hot and cold all season. In two of the seven games he has started, he has given up a combined 16 runs (both losses). In the other five, he has a 2.65 ERA with 28 strikeouts and only two walks. The big veteran is no stranger to the Yankees, having appeared in 29 games for the Bombers in 2011.
The Subway Series always provides a jolt into the fans and the teams. Both teams need a jolt after a slow start to the season. “I think people get very excited about it,” Joe Girardi said. “I think sometimes people might consider the intensity level to be higher where people are in the standings. But when you get in the ballpark, it’s pretty intense.”
“It’s a fun atmosphere,” Derek Jeter said. “The fans get into it, therefore it’s exciting for us as players. So we look forward to it. It’s a good time.”
Notes on the game
Despite his 4.43 ERA, Kuroda has held his opponent to four runs or fewer in six of seven starts.
Ichiro Suzuki has 10 hits in his previous 25 at bats. He is hitting .364 with an .833 OPS on the season.
First pitch at 7:05 PM on Yes
