Game Preview: Mets @ Cubs (Game 2)

Max Scherzer will make his las start of the first half of the season tonight for the Mets during the night cap of today’s split doubleheader.

Max Scherzer has tossed 62 2/3 innings over 10 starts this season with a 2.15 ERA, 2.60 FIP, 0.830 WHIP and an 185 ERA+. Since returning from the injured list he has pitched 13 innings allowing only one run from five hits and no walks while striking out 20 batters. It is the second time this season he has struck out 20 batters over two consecutive starts (the other time being April 19th – 25th, where he allowed one run over 14 innings). More importantly, his pitch count reached it’s normal amount in his last start. In his first start back he threw 79 pitches. Last time out he tossed 93.

In one start against the Cubs last year he allowed two runs from five hits and four walks over five innings while striking out 8. The Cubs have the following numbers against Scherzer:

Jason Heyward 5-17, 2B, 2 BB, 2 K
Wilson Contreras 2-10, 2 BB, 4 K
Ian Happ 1-9, 6 K
Yan Gomes 3-7, 2B, 2 K
Rafael Ortega 3-6, K
Andrelton Simmons 1-3

The Mets bats draw Drew Smyly tonight who signed with the Cubs last off season on a one year deal. The Cubs are the 7th major league franchise that Drew has pitched for (Tigers, Rays, Rangers, Phillies, Giants, Braves). This season he has pitched 44 2/3 innings over 10 starts with a 4.43 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 1.343 WHIP, and a 96 ERA+. Drew is coming off of a short start against the Dodgers where he allowed four runs from five hits and a walk over two innings. It was his first start since injuring his oblique at the end of May.

Over two games and seven innings against the Mets last year, Drew allowed three runs from 10 hits and three walks while striking out 9. The Mets have the following numbers against him: