Is it perfect timing or disastrous timing to be Long Island native Steven Matz?

That depends on whether you believe that the run-it-back Yankees’ bats are just snoozing and ready to bust out again, or that the last two games of a rare series loss to the Athletics indicate why more improvements were needed during the offseason.

The Yankees begin their first AL East series of the season Friday against the Rays, who will send Matz, the ex-Met, to the hill against a lineup that is 2-for-55 (with two singles, eight walks and 20 strikeouts) over the last scoreless 17 innings.

When the Yankees started the season mashing on a 5-1 road trip, it was easy to remember that last season’s team led MLB in runs scored.