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Yankees’ Aaron Boone Makes Unexpected Admission Before Mets Game
Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

It's usually called the "Subway Series" when the New York Yankees and New York Mets play, but this next one could be described as the "Battle of Second Place." Both teams are second in their divisions after previously holding first place, with the Yankees one game behind the Toronto Blue Jays and the Mets 1.5 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10 games, while the Mets are 4-6. Both teams also have a laundry list of pitching injuries, as Gerrit Cole (elbow), Luis Gil (lat), Clarke Schmidt (forearm), Kodai Senga (hamstring), Tylor Megill (elbow), and Sean Manaea (oblique) are all out, to name a few.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked if the Yankees are the best team in the league before their clash with the Mets on Friday despite their recent slide, via SNY.

 "I do believe that, but we're not that right now," he admitted. "We're not a complete team and we've got a long way to go in this thing, but I feel like we've got the makings of a special group."

Infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. said that Boone told the team that it is the best in the league in a private meeting after its 8-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

The Yankees got swept in four games in Toronto for the first time in franchise history from Monday to Thursday. Meanwhile, the Mets are coming off a series win against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman (1-1, 8.16 ERA) will start for the Yankees on Friday against Mets right-hander Justin Hagenman (0-0, 1.50 ERA).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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