There are a few key MLB matchups to keep an eye on during the Fourth of July weekend. The Subway Series and a battle of two of the American League’s top teams highlight the holiday schedule.

The New York Yankees and New York Mets will meet for the first time in 2021. This time, it’s actually the Mets that are the best team in the Big Apple, while the Yankees are running out of time to turn their season around.

At the midway point of the season, the Yankees find themselves in fourth place in the AL East. After being swept by the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park a week ago, the Yankees face an uphill battle to get back in the division race. Viewed as a top World Series contender before the season, the Yankees are not even near the top of the wild card standings.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole starts Friday night in the Bronx. Cole allowed five runs to the Red Sox in a loss Sunday.

The Mets, on the other hand, have been in control of their division for most of the season. One of the league’s best pitching staffs, led by MVP favorite Jacob deGrom, could put the Mets in the playoffs for the first time in five years.

The Washington Nationals are gaining on the Mets amid a hot streak. Washington and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a four-game series this weekend.

The best weekend series, based on records, is the matchup between the Red Sox and Oakland Athletics. The first-place Red Sox own the AL’s best record as the only team with 50 wins. Oakland could hit the 50-win mark with a strong showing against Boston.

Both teams are locked into what have been two-team division races. The defending AL champion Tampa Bay Rays are Boston’s chief competition in the AL East. The A’s and Houston Astros have nearly identical records as they fight for the AL West title.

Tampa Bay and the Toronto Blue Jays will face off as Toronto tries to prove it can hang with the AL East’s top teams. The Chicago Cubs visit the Cincinnati Reds as both teams try to stay alive in the NL Central race.

There are seven divisional matchups set for the Fourth of July.

Gerrit Cole Yankees
Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 16, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 13-2. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
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