One of the most anticipated stretches of sports in New York — the Subway Series. Two of the most obnoxious fanbases battle it out, delivering drama-filled baseball, even for “regular-season play.” From a 2000 World Series matchup to heated rivalries renewed in the concrete jungle, the Mets and Yankees have delivered many unforgettable moments.
2025 brought the most controversy yet. The first matchup between the two clubs last May brought Juan Soto back to the Bronx, filling the air with roaring boos and jabs at the Mets’ 15-year, $765 million man. At home, the Yankees took care of business, winning two of the three games while delivering a dominant performance on Sunday Night Baseball. Back in Queens, however, it was the Mets’ turn to take two games, with Soto having the last laugh by delivering a home run.
In just one day, the Yankees will head to Citi Field to take on the Mets in what should be an eventful three-game bout.
It’s been no secret that the Mets aren’t having the exact start they expected, holding a league-worst 15-25 record entering play Monday before quickly gaining momentum by sweeping the Tigers throughout the week. The turnaround was propelled by the promotion of No. 2 prospect A.J. Ewing, who went 3-for-9 during the series while delivering an impressive MLB debut week. Ewing became the first player ever to walk three times, hit a triple and homer in the same game.
A bit of irony — the Mets and Yankees have almost traded places, with the Mets going 8-4 through play in May while the Bronx Bombers enter Friday at 7-6, losing five of their last six games.
Wayne Randazzo has plenty of experience with the Mets organization, serving as a fill-in play-by-play announcer on SNY for more than eight years before heading to the Angels and later getting the opportunity to call Friday Night Baseball games on Apple TV.
“You’ll see the passion of the fans, you never know what is going to happen,” said Apple TV play-by-play commentator Wayne Randazzo. “The players say they don’t really care, but it’s really a fabrication. There’s a balloon over Soto having left the Yankees, there’s Clay Holmes, who struggled with the Yankees, revitalizing his career.”
Yankees fans still haven’t let go of the loss of Soto, who entered free agency following the Yankees’ 2024 World Series run, where they fell to the Dodgers in five games. Soto’s free agency was soap opera-like, with both New York teams remaining finalists before the Mets edged out the Yankees to sign the superstar to a 15-year, $765 million contract.
That’s not the only familiar face the Yankees will be seeing this weekend. The return of Clay Holmes, who was seemingly outcast from the Bronx, has rejuvenated his career as a starting pitcher. Holmes was signed during the same offseason as Soto, shifting from his closing role to a starter, raising concern that he wouldn’t be able to transition in a valuable way.
That hasn’t been the case, however. After delivering a solid year in 2025 as a third starter, Holmes has been the Mets’ ace, posting a 4-3 record with a 1.86 ERA and 37 strikeouts while going more than five innings in all but one appearance this season.
“The pitching matchup is going to be electric,” said Randazzo. “We usually don’t know what we’re gonna run into on Fridays, whether it’s a spot start or ace versus end-of-the-rotation option. Friday night, we get Schittler, who has been the Yankees’ best guy, and Holmes, who has been the Mets’ best guy.”
On the other side, Cam Schittler will get the ball. Schittler, like Nolan McLean, has been a dominant young star. The former top prospect holds a 5-1 record through nine starts, with a 1.35 ERA and 59 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .177 batting average. Schittler, like several players on both teams, will be getting his first taste of Subway Series action.
Even while the Mets have struggled in 2025, Randazzo believes the atmosphere at Citi Field this weekend will still be vibrant.
“Aggressively,” said Randazzo on how he feels fans will act this weekend. “Even though the Mets haven’t played well, fans on both sides will get together and hoot and holler — it’s always a fun atmosphere.”
Game 1 of the Subway Series will be featured exclusively on Apple TV, with Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis on the call for Friday Night Baseball. However, this week’s game features something unique — an opportunity for fans to gather in Times Square to watch the New York rivalry on the big screen.
“It’s about the league and the sport evolving into the future,” said Randazzo on the importance of an event like this. “Wrapping itself with Apple TV and bringing baseball to everyone around the world. It’s a different level of broadcast that Apple has invested in. It’s been incredible to watch this evolve into a fun broadcast every Friday. Even if it’s a three-hour game, being on a massive billboard is an incredible opportunity for us broadcasters and fans to get together and see the rivalry in Times Square.”
