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The city rivals will open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The teams are playing against each other on Sept. 11 for the second time. The Yankees claimed an 8-7 road win on the 20th anniversary of the attacks in 2021.

"It's going to be incredible," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday afternoon. "Very emotional. I know there's going to be people in the building that have very strong ties or some very personal connection to the tragedy that took place. I'm sure we'll see some tears in the crowd, especially just being the 25th anniversary to where it's the two New York teams playing here against each other.

"Obviously, it's a time of the year that's an important time of the year, important games. So I'm sure it's going to be an amazing environment, an emotional environment, some joy, some sorrow, some reflection, all those things."

Adding to the importance: The Yankees (84-62) are attempting to track down the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (87-59) in the American League East and widen their lead over the Boston Red Sox (80-67) for the first AL wild card.

After Anthony Volpe hit a grand slam, had three hits and drove in a career-high five runs on Thursday in the Yankees' 10-3 win over the Rockies, the Yankees are three games behind the Rays and 4 1/2 games up on the Red Sox.

The Mets won two of three at home May 15-17 against the Yankees, but several players from their roster at the time were moved during a massive selloff at the trade deadline last month.

Since the deadline, the Mets (68-78) are 21-12. They are seeking a season-high fifth straight win after scoring 31 runs during a three-game sweep of the host Miami Marlins.

Francisco Lindor homered in the final two games at Miami, and he has five homers in his past 10 games. Rookie A.J. Ewing had three hits in the Mets' 15-14 win on Wednesday, and he is 10-for-18 (.556) with a homer and seven RBIs in his past five games.

"The vibes, it's almost like everybody comes together before the game, it doesn't matter whether it's Yankees or Mets, and it feels really good," Lindor said. "And then once the game starts, it becomes Yankees vs. Mets, which is really cool.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's a special day for a lot of people, and hopefully we can put a smile on people's faces with a great showing and remember the ones that fought for everybody. They are the ones that lost their lives that day. It's a truly special day."

Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (5-3, 3.09 ERA) will make his fifth start since returning from a second injured-list stint this year. He is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA since returning Aug. 18. Rodon allowed one run on two hits in five innings on Saturday en route to a 5-1 road win over the San Diego Padres.

Rodon is 3-2 with a 3.70 ERA in five career starts against the Mets. He lost to them on May 16, when he permitted three runs, two earned, in 3 2/3 innings.

Nolan McLean (11-8, 3.06 ERA) will start for the Mets on Friday as he attempts to bolster his NL Rookie of the Year credentials. The right-hander leads NL rookies in innings (161 2/3) and strikeouts (179), and his ERA is the best in the league among rookie starters.

McLean, who will be facing the Yankees for the first time, is 3-0 with a 1.08 ERA in his past four starts. He earned the win on Sept. 4 when he allowed two runs on six hits and four walks with seven strikeouts in six innings during a 10-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

--Field Level Media