Game Preview: Cubs vs Mets

The Mets go for the four game sweep of the Cubs tonight at Citi Field!

The Mets are coming off an energizing, and also nerve wracking, win last night. For the second start in a row Jacob deGrom was dominate in his outing but left the game earlier with an injury. The energy in the ballpark took a noticeable dip after deGrom’s exit, however the Mets marched on, scoring more runs and the bullpen holding the game together. Drew Smith made the game a bit more interesting in the ninth, allowing a 2 run homer bringing the Cubs within three. Luis Rojas was having no nonsense yesterday, and had Diaz pitch to the last better to clinch the series win.

The Mets will turn to Marcus Stroman to close out the series tonight. Over 13 starts and 77.1 innings, Stroman has a 2.33 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 1.073 WHIP and a 166 ERA+, all better than his career numbers. Stroman is coming off two great starts against the Padres where he allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, over 13.0 innings from 10 hits and 5 walks while striking out 15 batters (his highest back to back total this season). Marcus missed the Cubs earlier this season and the Cubs have the following career numbers on him:

Javier Baez 2-6, 2B, HR, BB, K
Jake Marisnick 3-6, 2B, 2 K
Joc Pederson 1-3, 2B, 2 K
Rafael Ortega 1-2, K
Kris Bryant 1-3, 2B
Eric Sogard 0-1, BB
Ian Happ 0-3, K
Jason Heyward 0-3, K

The Mets draw Kyle Hendricks from Dartmouth College for the series concluder today! In 13 starts and 74.2 innings, Kyle has a 4.46 ERA, 5.64 FIP, 1.353 WHIP and an 87 ERA+. It’s a stark difference from his stats last year – 2.88 ERA, 3.55 FIP, 0.996 WHIP, 150 ERA+. He also led the league last year in BB/9 (0.9) and K/BB (8.0). In his last four starts he has allowed 11 runs over 25.1 innings, a 3.91 ERA, so better than his season numbers. He has not faced the Mets yet this year and the Mets have the following career stats against Kyle: