New York @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 28, 2013 ) NY Yankees 1, NY Mets 2

New York Mets right-hander Jeremy Hefner is on the verge of matching a franchise record - and it's one he'd like to avoid at all costs. The Mets have won three straight but are 0-9 this season in contests started by Hefner, who will take the mound Wednesday when the Subway Series shifts to Yankee Stadium for two games. A loss by the Mets would tie a dubious team mark set in 1993, when the club lost the first 10 games started by Anthony Young.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, in his final season, was honored Tuesday at Citi Field and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. That turned out to be the only pitch worth remembering for Rivera, who gave up three straight hits in the ninth inning to absorb his first blown save in 19 opportunities. The loss gave the Yankees their first three-game skid of the season as they prepare to open an eight-game homestand that includes visits by Boston and Cleveland.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), YES (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (0-5, 4.76 ERA) vs. Yankees RH David Phelps (3-2, 3.96)

Hefner has been unable to buy a win, although he is coming off one of his better efforts last time out. He limited Atlanta to two runs on three hits while striking out seven in six innings in a 7-5 defeat. The Mets finally gave him some offensive support after putting up a total of 11 runs in his previous five outings. Hefner has done a better job of keeping the ball in the park, giving up two homers in his last six starts after surrendering seven in his first four appearances.

Phelps, who started the season in the bullpen, has made a solid transition to starter. He worked a career-high 7 2/3 innings in his last start before taking a line drive off his pitching arm in a 9-4 victory over Tampa Bay. Phelps went seven innings in his previous start against Toronto and has permitted eight runs and a mere 19 hits over 27 1/3 innings in his last four outings. He has never faced the Mets, but is 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 22 appearances (nine starts) at Yankee Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets have lost 10 straight following games in which Matt Harvey started.

2. Tuesday's blown save by Rivera was the first of his legendary career in which he failed to record an out.

3. The Yankees are 54-38 all-time against the Mets.

PREDICTION: Yankees 5, Mets 3