Game Preview: Cubs vs Mets

The Mets had a heart breaking loss last night on Todd Frazier BP Pullover Voucher Night. The Mets got a dazzling start from Jacob deGrom allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings with 13 K’s. While as Mets fans we should be upset that deGrom didn’t get a win, let’s take solace in that he didn’t take the L as Conforto hit a solo homer to knot up the game. The game then went into extras and both offenses went silent until the 14th where the Cubs scored 6 runs. Ultimately the last thing the depleted Mets pitching staff needed was an extra 5 innings of work last night.

Steven Matz will look to give the bullpen a little rest today as he returns from an injury shortened outing where he strained his middle finger. On the season he is 2-3 over 10 games and 45.2 innings with a 3.55 ERA, 5.60 FIP, 1.270 WHIP and 107 ERA+. In his last two starts he has allowed no runs in 9.0 innings from 5 hits and 5 walks while striking out 5. The last time Matz faced the Cubs was back in 2016 where he allowed 3 runs off 7 hits and 3 walks in 5.1 innings Queens and then allowed 4 runs from 8 hits and 1 walk over 5.0 innings in Chicago. The Cubs have the following numbers against Steven:

Baez 4-8, HR
Bryant 2-6, HR
Rizzo 3-8, 2B, HR
Contreras 1-5, 2B
Russell 1-4
Zobrist 2-6, 2B
Almora 1-4, 2B

After going silent last night the Mets bats will have a tough order today against Jon Lester. Lester is 5-2 over 11 games and 63.0 innings with a 2.71 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.206 WHIP, 151 ERA+. Jon is coming off of his worst start of the season where he allowed 4 earned runs over 6.0 innings from 8 hits and no walks against the Pirates. Previous to that he allowed 1 run in three starts in a row (1.45 ERA over 18.2 innings). He faced the Mets twice last year. In Queens he allowed 1 run over 7.0 innings holding the Mets to 5 hits and a walk while striking out 10. In Chicago he allowed 2 runs from 6 hits and 4 walks over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Lester: