The set up: The original Subway Series was the Yankees taking on first the the-New York Giants and then later on, the then-Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series, when those three franchises seemed to ‘rule' the MLB world. This year's edition hardly has those ‘chops,' as the Mets sit 6 1/2 games behind the first-place Nationals in the NL East and 2 1/2 games behind the Marlins in the race for the second National League wild card spot. Meanwhile, with the recent trades of first-class relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miler, most seem to believe the Yankees have turned an eye to the future. The standings say the Yankees are in fourth place in the AL East (seven games out), as well as 5 1/2 games out of the second wild card spot with three teams ahead of them.

The pitching matchup: The Mets send Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.12 ERA) to the mound while the Yankees counter with C.C. Sabathia (6-8, 3.95 ERA). Verrett has never faced the Yankees while Sabathia is 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets (teams are 5-2). Verrett's made 27 appearances in 2016 but just nine have been starts. That said, he's made three starts since the All Star break, posting a 3.44 ERA. As for C.C, he did pitch well in his most recent start (allowed only two earned runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 6-3 win last Tuesday) but in his six previous turns, owned a 7.46 ERA (had allowed four earned runs or more in each).

The pick: I buy into the argument that the Yankees have turned their attention to "the future" while in the case of the Mets, I'm not ready to give up on the defending NL champs just yet in 2016. "The price" is cheap on the home team. 10* play on the NY Mets.