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PORT ST. LUCIE — Aside from playing in New York, the Yankees and Mets do not share many similarities.
The Yankees, for example, are playing for first place, the Mets to stay out of last. Both are attempting frugality these days, but the Yankees still will run a payroll over $200 million while the Mets are now under $100 million.
They both enter Year 4 of a newish stadium with the Yankees trying to lead the majors in attendance for a 10th straight season while the Mets attempt to avoid the embarrassment of falling under 2 million spectators.
The “NY” interlocks on both caps and not much else. As the teams began a spring-ending home-and-home yesterday — if you consider Port St. Lucie and Tampa the homes away from home — I searched for common ground.
So what follows is a matchup of Yankees vs. Mets in a few areas of symmetry. The numbers in parentheses represent my over/under number that those in the matchup are trying to outdo (for non-betting purposes — of course):
Andy Pettitte vs. Johan Santana (20 starts) — In this showdown of sage, veteran lefties who did not pitch last season, Santana gets a head start with the Opening Day assignment while Pettitte is not due before May 1. But Santana came down achy in the last week, needed an anti-inflammation shot and, thus, reminded folks that he unlikely is to make it through the season without interruption. The Mets have penciled in an extra day of rest after each of his first seven starts and already recognize there probably will be times they will have to skip him entirely as they try to avoid disabled-list stints.
Pettitte, meanwhile, likely will pitch an inning against the Mets today as he continues trying to get his legs back into game shape. A big difference, however, is Pettitte is somewhat of a luxury for the Yankees while Santana is the Mets’ ace. So Santana’s ability to top 20 starts is more vital.
Phil Hughes vs. Mike Pelfrey (4.20 ERA) — There was hope for continued improvement from both righties last year after strong 2010s. But by the end of April 2011 the former first-rounders were two of the worst starters in the majors, and the results did not improve enough during the season.
Hughes showed up in better shape this spring and firmed up a rotation spot. Pelfrey struggled early, and Mets manager Terry Collins met with the big righty to explain he is not on scholarship and needed to pitch well to keep his job. He has gone overhead in his delivery in his past three starts, including yesterday against the Yankees, and produced a better rhythm and also better life and movement on his sinker.
Both guys are auditioning for their futures — in New York or elsewhere.
Derek Jeter vs. Ruben Tejada (.360 OBP) — Jeter’s on-base percentage climbed from .340 to .355 last year — still down from his career mark of .383, but respectable. Like in the second half last season, he has hit the ball with authority this spring and his legs have looked particularly spry. So maybe he could climb back toward his lifetime mark. If he does, that would be huge for the Yankees because manager Joe Girardi remains committed to leading him off.
Tejada had a .360 on-base percentage last year, validating that his hitting eye is an asset. He is not the offensive threat of Jose Reyes, especially once he gets on base, but if he gets on at a 36-percent clip that would suggest he could be the Mets’ long-term answer at short.
Alex Rodriguez vs. David Wright (25 homers) — Rodriguez was limited to 99 games and 16 homers last year, Wright to 102 and 14 home runs.
Rodriguez has looked healthy all spring and primed for a return to excellence. But that was also said about him last spring before his body began to break down. Wright has hit the ball well since returning from his abdominal muscle strain. He has recommitted to his shorter swing and using the whole field, hoping that in conjunction with moved-in fences at Citi Field helps restore him to a legit offensive force.
Nick Swisher vs. Lucas Duda (25 homers) — Swisher is in his walk year. Duda is trying to prove he is a long-term answer for the Mets in right. Swisher has chiseled himself into super shape. He has 81 homers the past three seasons, just one fewer than Robinson Cano, and only Mark Teixeira (111) has more homers by a switch-hitter in that time.
Duda has significant power to all fields, including to left where those shorter fences in Citi could lead to plenty of opposite-field homers.
joel.sherman@nypost.com