The friendly rivalry between Yankees captain Derek Jeter and Mets captain-in-waiting David Wright just got $150,000 more interesting.

The two New York superstars will participate this season in Delta’s Jeter/Wright Batting Challenge (Jeter gets top billing, of course), in which the airline will donate $100,000 to the foundation of the player with the higher batting average. The loser’s charity will get $50,000.

The challenge’s launch this afternoon in Midtown was a regular lovefest between the recent teammates on Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

“I had the opportunity to play with David Wright in the WBC and get to know him,” Jeter said. “Obviously, he’s a great player. More important, I like the way he handles himself.”

Wright said, “I tried to learn as much as I could [from Jeter] and part of that was how he carries himself off the field. He’s a tremendous person. Everything you hear about him is 100 percent true.”

As far as the competition goes, the unofficial opening betting line is even money. Jeter’s career batting average is .316; Wright’s is .309.

In 2005 and 2006, Wright’s first two full seasons in the big leagues, Jeter had the higher average. The past two seasons, Wright had the higher mark, including a narrow .302-.300 win last year.

(From the lively-quote department, Wright on winning the challenge: “I’m planning on it.” Jeter on winning: “I hope so.”)

Both players conceded they’ll be monitoring the box scores to keep track of how the other is doing.

“I will follow the face of the Mets,” Jeter said with a smirk.

Jeter is playing for his Turn 2 Foundation, geared toward helping children resist drugs and alcohol and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Wright’s share will go to the David Wright Foundation, which provides aid and assistance to youngsters in the New York and Norfolk, Va., areas.