For the first time since the league’s divisional realignment, squads from competing boroughs will face off in regular season interleague games this weekend.

Over the next two weeks, there will be 11 double headers and one nine-inning game pitting teams from the Bronx/Manhattan division against their counterparts in the Brooklyn/Queens conference.

According to NYCMBL President Matt Shiels, the idea of instituting interleague play has been in the works for a while.

“We hoped that by adding inter-divisional games, we could offer teams the chance to play against new ball clubs and keep the schedule fresh and competitive,” Shiels said. “We would love to see new rivalries rise between the boroughs.”

The first weekend of interleague play features some intriguing matchups, including a double-header between the Bronx Titans and the reigning league champion NY Storm and a two-game set between preseason opponents in the NY Giants and NYC Mud Hens.

The most anticipated matchup, however, is unarguably the twin-bill between the Bronx/Manhattan division-leading Beers (5-1) and the NY Rainmakers (1-4). The Rainmakers boast several players who previously donned the Beers’ uniform, including manager Antonio Cardona, Rob Stenz, Devin Warner and ace Taylor Wood. The game, set for Saturday afternoon at Red Hook, will mark the first time these two teams have met.

“We’ve been looking forward to our series with the NY Beers since the moment the schedule came out,” Rainmakers’ infielder Justin Hoyt said. “The core of the Rainmakers is comprised of ex-Beers which itself makes for an interesting backdrop.”

In addition to the budding rivalry between the two squads, there will be added flavor with regards to the alma maters of some of the key players involved. Many are looking forward to a potential pitching matchup between Rainmakers’ ace Taylor Wood and reigning Cy Young Ryan Smith, which would make at least one of the games an all-Ivy League affair.

Wood played his college ball at Cornell while Smith, a Dartmouth grad, holds the all-time Ivy League saves record.

“As for the games, the pitching should be a real treat,” Hoyt said. “[We] plan on seeing some fierce competition out there.”