The Mets get their first afternoon game in Chicago today as they play their second game of the series against the Cubs. Today is probably the most anticipated game of the series as Marcus Stroman makes the start against his old club, the New York Mets. Stroman will face Taijuan Walker, who has had an amazing first half of the season and has held the rotation together.
The Mets traded for Stroman from the Braves a few years ago. After his second* season with the Mets, he accepted a qualifying offer to stay an additional year (he didn’t play his second season due to the pandemic). Surrounded by injuries last year, Stroman lasted the whole season, making 33 starts, pitching 179 innings while posting a 3.02 ERA and 134 ERA+. This off-season was a bit tumultuous between Stroman and the Mets. Ultimately, Stroman ended up signing a three year, 71 million dollar deal to play with the Cubs.
Over 10 starts and 51 1/3 innings this season, Stroman has a 4.91 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.188 FIP and an 86 ERA+. He had a short, but clean start his last time out allowing no runs from two hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. That start was his first since returning from the injured list with a shoulder injury. Before Stroman landed on the injured list, he was finally only a roll, allowing only four earned runs over 24 innings. He then allowed nine runs over four innings in a start against the Cardinals (the start he got injured).
The Mets have the following numbers against Stroman:
- Francisco Lindor 6-20, 2B, BB, 3 K
- Eduardo Escobar 4-15, 2 2B, BB, K
- Ender Inciarte 1-9, 4 K
- Travis Jankowski 2-7, 2B, 2 K
- Starling Marte 1-6
- Mark Canha 1-3
- Brandon Nimmo 1-1, 2 BB
- Dominic Smith 0-2
Taijuan Walker finishes out his amazing first half of the season today for the Mets. Over 15 starts and 85 2/3 innings he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.00 ERA, 1.097 WHIP and 152 ERA+. Walker is coming off of a very strong start against Miami where he allowed no runs over seven innings from three hits and a walk. It was his second start in his last three where he went at least seven innings without allowing any runs. Walker has had a 1.85 ERA and a 2.01 FIP over his last six starts and 39 innings where he has also struck out 43 batters. The Cubs have the following numbers against him:
- Yan Gomes 3-11, 2 K
- Jason Heyward 1-7
- Wilson Contreras 1-5, BB, K
- Ian Happ 1-4, 2 BB
- Andrelton Simmons 1-2, BB
- Patrick Wisdom 1-2, K
Let’s Go Mets!
