The New York Mets and New York Yankees will close out the 2025 Subway Series on Sunday, May 18, at Yankee Stadium in what promises to be one of the most compelling matchups of the season. With both teams leading their respective divisions and splitting the first two games of the series, the rubber match not only carries massive implications for bragging rights in the Big Apple, but also offers a high-stakes clash between two legitimate championship contenders. The Mets enter the finale with a 28–16 record, driven by one of the best pitching staffs in the league and a lineup that features the powerful trio of Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso. Soto, who made headlines in the offseason by signing a record $765 million deal with the Mets, returns to Yankee Stadium for the first time since the move, adding an emotional charge to an already intense rivalry. While his bat was slow to heat up in April, Soto has surged in May and remains one of the most feared left-handed hitters in baseball. The Mets will send lefty David Peterson to the mound, whose 2025 campaign has been defined by strong command and a groundball-heavy profile—an essential skill set when facing the slugging Yankees. On the other side, the Yankees, 25–18 and leading the AL East, counter with ace Max Fried, who has been nothing short of spectacular with a league-leading 1.11 ERA and a perfect blend of command, deception, and mound presence that has shut down even the most elite lineups.

Fried has the poise to thrive under the bright lights of a nationally televised game and will be counted on to neutralize a Mets lineup that’s adept at working deep counts and creating traffic on the bases. Offensively, the Yankees continue to ride the bat of Aaron Judge, who is off to an MVP-caliber start, hitting .412 with 15 home runs and 41 RBIs. Judge’s performance this season has been superhuman, and if he comes up with another big game, it could tip the scales in the Yankees’ favor. He’s supported by the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and Trent Grisham, who have both stepped up in clutch spots and deepened the offensive threat. Defensively, both teams rank among the league’s best, with the Yankees’ infield defense and Mets’ outfield positioning providing consistent support to their pitching staffs. The bullpens have also been outstanding, with the Mets featuring former Yankee Clay Holmes in a setup role and Edwin Díaz closing games with his usual dominance, while the Yankees counter with Jonathan Loáisiga and Tommy Kahnle to handle the late innings. This game will likely come down to which ace can blink first—Fried or Peterson—and whether Soto or Judge can deliver a game-changing hit. With national attention, elite talent on both sides, and a packed Yankee Stadium as the backdrop, Sunday night’s finale will be a showcase of New York baseball at its highest level, and the winner will take much more than just one game—they’ll seize momentum, headlines, and the heart of the city.