Mets host Yankees on July 4, 2025, in a Subway Series showdown. Rookie Josh Hagenman duels former Met Marcus Stroman. Can Alonso & Soto power the win?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Happy Fourth of July, Mets fans! Forget the hot dogs and fireworks for a second, because the real show is at Citi Field tonight. The New York Mets (50-38) are kicking off the second Subway Series of the season against the Yankees, and the holiday atmosphere is absolutely electric. Coming off a tight 3-2 win against the Brewers, the Amazins are looking to ride that momentum and make a statement against their crosstown rivals.
Rookie Josh Hagenman (1.50 ERA) faces off against former Met Marcus Stroman (8.16 ERA) in a high-stakes holiday showdown.
The marquee matchup is on the mound, and it's a fascinating one. The Mets are handing the ball to rookie right-hander Josh Hagenman, who has been nothing short of brilliant in his limited time, sporting a sparkling 1.50 ERA. On the other side, the Yankees (48-39) are sending a familiar face to the hill in Marcus Stroman. To put it mildly, Stroman's return to Queens comes as he's struggling, carrying a bloated 8.16 ERA. It's a classic rookie-versus-veteran duel with a revenge-game narrative sprinkled on top. The Mets' big bats, Pete Alonso and Juan Soto, both with 20 homers, will be looking to give Stroman a rude welcome back.
As if the Subway Series needed more juice, the Mets lineup is getting a major reinforcement. Infielder Mark Vientos has officially been activated from the 10-day injured list after a right hamstring strain kept him out for most of June. His return couldn't be better timed. Vientos provides a much-needed power bat and infield depth, and inserting him straight into the fire against the Yankees shows the team's confidence in his readiness. His presence lengthens the lineup and gives manager Carlos Mendoza another potent weapon to deploy.
While the big league club battles in Queens, the front office is clearly focused on maintaining depth for the long haul. With bullpen injuries being a persistent theme, the recent return of Brooks Lee has been a huge boost, but discussions continue about calling up more arms from Syracuse and Binghamton. Speaking of the farm, the future is looking bright. No. 4 prospect Jonah Tong continues to rack up strikeouts at an incredible pace, extending his MiLB lead with another dominant outing today. Keep an eye on names like Jett Williams, Brandon Sproat, and Carson Benge—they represent the next wave of talent that will keep this team competitive for years to come.
Tonight is more than just one game out of 162. It's a July 4th Subway Series opener, a chance to assert dominance over the Yankees, and a perfect stage for a rookie to shine and a key player to return. A win tonight would set a powerful tone for the weekend series and the entire second half. Buckle up, because the fireworks in Flushing are just getting started.
