Game Preview: Mets @ Cubs

After dropping the first game of the series on Thursday, which followed a fairly dreadful series in St. Louis – the pessimist in me did not think I would be writing this next sentence today: the Mets look to take the four game set in Chicago this afternoon behind Jacob deGrom on the mound. Yesterday the Mets fired on all cylinders as Alonso tied Strawberry’s mark for homers in a rookie season and became the fastest NL Rookie to 26 homers before the All-Star break. On top of Alonso’s hitting, Wheeler had a strong day on the mound!

Jacob deGrom is 4-6 over 15 starts and 91.0 innings with a 3.26 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 1.077 WHIP and a 124 ERA+. In his last start deGrom pitched into the 9th inning, going 8.1 allowing 2 runs off 5 hits and no walks while striking out 10. It was the second time in three starts that he struck out 10 batters. Since May 22nd, over 6 games deGrom has tossed 39.0 innings with a 2.31 ERA with opponents hitting .215 against him. He faced the Cubs twice last year allowing 2 runs over 15.0 innings from 15 hits and 3 walks while striking out 23 batters. The Cubbies have the following stats against deGrom:

Anthony Rizzo 10-23, 2B, HR, 2 BB, 4 K
Jason Heyward 7-21, 2B, BB, 3 K
Kris Bryant 4-14, 2 HR, 2 BB, 7 K
Carlos Gonzalez 4-13, 2 2B, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
Addison Russell 2-11, HR, BB, 4 K
Javier Baez 1-10, BB, 6 K
Kyle Schwarber 2-8, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
Wilson Contreras 0-7, BB< 3 K
Albert Almora 2-8, 4 K

The Mets bats draw Cole Hamels in the midst of a resurgent season for the ace pitcher. He is 6-2 over 15 games and 91.2 innings with a 2.85 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 1.178 WHIP and 157 ERA+. Most of this has to with June. In four starts this month, Hamels has allowed 2 runs, 1 earned over 29.0 innings, a 0.31 ERA, which lowered his season ERA of 4.02 at the end of May down to 2.85. Cole shut out the Mets in the one game he played against them last year, holding them scoreless over 5.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Cole: