The first game of the annual regular season event coincides with a crucial Friday night Knicks playoff game against the Celtics.

Though the Mets completed a 4-0 season sweep last year, the stakes weren’t nearly this intense, partially because they weren’t nearly the juggernaut they are now. But with both teams making deep playoff runs last year, and sporting dueling $300 million payrolls, Friday very much felt like a potential World Series preview.

Juan Soto had a quiet night with three walks, a groundout and a flyout in his return to the Bronx, Carlos Rodón won his fourth straight decision and the New York Yankees beat the Mets 6-2 in the first of six Subway Series games this season.