Yankees' Aaron Judge and Mets Set for a Thrilling Showdown at Citi Field

First Inning

As the Yankees prepare to face off against the Mets at Citi Field, all eyes will be on Aaron Judge, who has been a standout performer for the Bronx Bombers. Over the last three games, Judge has showcased his prowess with an impressive batting average of .750 in one game, including a home run and three RBIs against the Blue Jays on July 2nd. His ability to consistently get on base with an OBP of .8 and OPS of 2.55 makes him a formidable threat right from the start.

The Yankees' lineup also features Giancarlo Stanton, who despite a slow start in recent games, remains a key figure in their offensive strategy. Stanton's potential to turn things around is crucial as they aim to capitalize early against the Mets' pitching staff.

On the mound for the Yanks, Clarke Schmidt has had mixed performances but will be looking to find his rhythm against the Amazins. With an ERA of 9.0 in his last outing, Schmidt's ability to control his pitches will be vital in setting the tone for this highly anticipated matchup.

Middle Innings

As we move into the middle innings, DJ LeMahieu's consistent hitting could play a pivotal role for New York. LeMahieu has maintained an average above .500 across recent games and provides stability in their batting order. His fielding skills have also been reliable, making him one of the defenders to watch in Yankees’ lineup.

For the Mets, Francisco Lindor stands out as one of their most dangerous players. Lindor’s performance against Milwaukee was remarkable with an average of .750 and an OPS of 2.55 on July 2nd. His presence at shortstop not only strengthens their defense but also adds depth to their batting lineup.

Pete Alonso is another key player for the Amazins with his power-hitting capabilities evident from his recent performances where he maintained an average above .333 and contributed crucial RBIs.

Late Innings

In late innings scenarios, Jonathan Loáisiga emerges as a critical reliever for Yankees with an ERA of 0.0 and WHIP of 0.75 over recent appearances. His ability to shut down opponents can be decisive if it comes down to tight situations.

Meanwhile, Edwin Díaz from Mets' bullpen has been exceptional with no earned runs allowed over multiple outings and striking out batters at a rate of 18 per nine innings pitched. This sets up intriguing key matchups Yankees vs Mets as both teams rely heavily on their bullpen strength towards game closure.

The upcoming clash between these two New York rivals promises excitement as top 3 players to watch Yankees include Aaron Judge along with contributions expected from DJ LeMahieu and Jonathan Loáisiga while Francisco Lindor leads charge for Mets alongside Pete Alonso’s power hitting abilities ensuring fans are treated to thrilling baseball action!

Don't miss this exciting showdown scheduled on July 5th at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens starting at 4:10 PM ET broadcasted live on YES Network! Share this article among fellow fans gearing up for what promises to be another classic encounter between these iconic franchises!