Bronx BP Bets His Own Sandwich On Yankees Pennant Victory

NEW YORK — The Bronx's boss has made a gastronomic gamble with Houston's top judge as their baseball teams battle for a spot in the World Series.

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo have each put a smorgasboard of hometown treats on the line in a "friendly wager" over the American League Championship Series.

Diaz pledged to ship a package of Bronx bites — including his eponymous "Ruben Diaz Jr." sandwich from Arthur Avenue's Mike's Deli — to the Lone Star State if the Astros win the pennant. And Hidalgo offered barbecue, tamales and Texas brews if the Bombers beat her squad.

Both pols boasted that their team would easily snag a World Series berth in the best-of-seven series, which comes to Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. The Astros tied the series 1-1 Sunday night when they beat the Yankees in 11 innings in Houston.

"I look forward to feasting on great Texas barbeque as we mosey on past the Astros and win our 41st American League pennant," Diaz, a Democrat and lifelong Yankee fan, said in a statement.

The BP's offer also includes cannolis from Gino's Pastry Shop & Cafe, munchies from Empanology, drinks from Bronx Brewery and Bronx Native-brand clothing.

Hidalgo has wagered brisket and other eats from Gatlin's Barbecue, tamales from Texas Tamale Company and beverages from Saint Arnold Brewing Company, which calls itself the state's oldest craft bewery.

"We’re really looking forward to enjoying some of the Bronx’s best local cuisine when the Astros win," Hidalgo, also a Democrat, said in a statement. "... The Yankees are merely a subway stop on our way to the World Series."

The Yankees and Astros both finished the regular season with more than 100 wins. The Bombers took game one of the championship series in a 7-0 shutout. But the Astros bounced back Sunday, winning game two with a walk-off home run after forcing the Yankees to reportedly use nine of their 13 pitchers.

Correction: Because of incorrect information provided by the Bronx borough president's office, an earlier version of this story misspelled the name of the business that will provide cannolis for the wager. It is Gino's Pastry Shop & Cafe, not Geno's Pastry Shop & Cafe.