New York @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 23, 2012 ) NY Yankees 4, NY Mets 3

New York Yankees ace left-hander CC Sabathia has put together some spectacular stretches in his career, but none that can rival the one being compiled by his counterpart in Sunday's finale of the Subway Series against the New York Mets. R.A. Dickey is on a roll for the ages, winning six consecutive starts and nine straight decisions. Coming off back-to-back, complete-game one-hitters, the knuckleballer leads the major in victories and is tied for the lowest ERA.

The Yankees went to their strength - the long ball - to rally for a 4-3 victory Saturday after the Mets had won the season opener. Raul Ibanez hit a three-run home run and Eric Chavez added a pinch-hit blast to give the Yankees a major league-leading 110 homers. The Yankees also got a stellar performance from their bullpen, with five relievers combining to give up two hits and strike out eight in 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (9-3, 3.55 ERA) vs. Mets RH R.A. Dickey (11-1, 2.00)

Sabathia has won two straight starts, beating Atlanta both times. He went the distance last time out, striking out 10 and allowing two runs on seven hits. The burly lefty has pitched at least seven innings in 11 of his last 12 starts and appears to have rectified some problems with the long ball, not surrendering a homer in his last three outings. He is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts vs. the Mets.

The consecutive one-hitters have been no fluke for Dickey, who has struck out 25 batters in the two games, including a career-high 13 in a 5-0 win against Baltimore on Monday. Dickey has not allowed an earned run in 42 2/3 innings, and has permitted only 21 hits while striking out 63 in his last six starts. He is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA in nine appearances (three starts) against the Yankees.

WALK-OFFS

1. Dickey is the first pitcher to throw back-to-back one-hitters since Toronto's Dave Stieb in 1988.

2. The Yankees are batting .217 with runners in scoring position, which is dead last in the American League.

3. Dwight Gooden, who pitched for both New York teams, holds the Mets team record of 49 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.