New York @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2012 ) NY Yankees 6, NY Mets 5

The New York Yankees have defied the prognostications that it would be a rebuilding year and overcome a slew of injuries to some of their biggest stars to take their accustomed spot atop the American League East as they prepare to open interleague play against the New York Mets. This year's edition of the Subway Series will feature a different format, with the first two games to be played at Citi Field before moving to Yankee Stadium for two games Wednesday and Thursday.

The Mets have been in desperate need of a spark and the least likely candidate to supply it was struggling first baseman Ike Davis. Rumors have been swirling about a possible demotion to Triple-A for Davis, who went into Sunday night's game against Atlanta buried in a 2-for-44 slump. Davis broke out in a dramatic way with a tiebreaking two-run single as the Mets halted a five-game losing streak and a string of eight consecutive losses at Citi Field.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (2-3, 5.51 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (3-5, 4.80)

Hughes rebounded from a wretched start against Seattle with six solid innings his last time out, limiting Baltimore to two runs on five hits but he did not factor in the decision. Two of the hits left the park, making it 10 homers allowed by Hughes on the season and five in the past three outings. Hughes has won his last two outings against the Mets, but lost his only start at Citi Field in May 2010. David Wright is 3-for-9 with a homer and three RBIs against Hughes.

Niese was victimized by a first-inning error that led to three runs last time out, but he regrouped to throw five scoreless innings and registered a season-high seven strikeouts in a 4-0 loss to Cincinnati. He had his longest outing in his previous start, holding St. Louis to two runs in 7 1/3 innings to earn his only win in the past seven outings. Niese has pitched well in three career starts vs. the Yankees, logging a 1-1 record and 2.33 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Yankees won five of six meetings with the Mets last year and own a major league-best 174-114 record in interleague play.

2. Mets LF Lucas Duda went 3-for-4 with a homer Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 10 games.

3. Yankees 2B Robinson Cano is 4-for-9 with a double against Niese.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Yankees 3