Extended version of looking ahead

You could call this year's edition of the "Subway Series" the "Frustration Series." Both the Mets and Yankees enter the weekend shaking their heads with all that is going on with each club. Each lost three of four -- the Mets to the Nationals, the Yankees to the Rays -- and both enter this final regular-season meeting at Yankee Stadium with significant issues. The Mets started this season like they ended last season: They're not hitting in key spots, their mental blunders are still there and their bullpen has been inconsistent. Meanwhile, the Yankees offense can't seem to score. They've been held to two runs or fewer in their past four games.

Elsewhere, it's an odd weekend, as it's rivalry weekend without the Cubs-White Sox, Giants-Athletics or even Marlins-Rays, the latter of which is looking like a World Series preview (no joke!). The American League has dominated interleague play recently. Many believe that, because of power surge from the likes of Lance Berkman and Chase Utley, this could be the year that the National League regains supremacy.
Friday • Mets (Johan Santana) at Yankees (Darrell Rasner), 7:05 p.m. ETThe Yankees are 35-25 against the Mets in "Subway Series" competition, but Johan Santana is perfect against the Yankees in regular-season play: 3-0, 2.66 ERA. Only one active pitcher has a better unbeaten record against the Yankees during the regular season: Dan Haren, 4-0. Santana also happens to be 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA in Yankee Stadium during the regular season. The teams have actually split their six meetings in each of the past three seasons.
• Indians (Jeremy Sowers) at Reds (Johnny Cueto), 7:10 p.m. ETThe Indians lead the Buckeye Series, 29-22, though the teams split the six games last season. Johnny Cueto, after looking really good in his first two starts, is struggling. He's 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA in his past six starts.
• White Sox (Gavin Floyd) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez), 10:15 p.m. ETGiants center fielder Aaron Rowand is facing the White Sox, with whom he won a World Series in 2005. Rowand went 1-for-8 against them with the Phillies last season, but had a home run and five RBIs. Rowand has lived up to his big contract in the early part of the season, hitting .333 with five home runs and 20 RBIs.