Pre-Gamin’: Mets at Cubs (6:05 CT) – Lineup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread
Alright, round 1 of the awesome pitching match-ups went the Cubs’ way last night, when Cubs veteran Jon Lester beat the young, but talented Steven Matz. Round 2, however, is going to be quite a bit more difficult.
IN THIS CORNER, pitching for the Cubs for the first time in the second half, it’s the 2015 NL Cy Young Award Winner, Jake Arrieta.
Arrieta hasn’t quite been the guy he wants to be over the past month and a half, as he battles fastball command issues, but he is still one of the best pitchers in baseball and is coming off a nice, extended rest. Arrieta will pitch to Miguel Montero, and work with a rearranged defensive alignment behind him.
AND IN THE OTHER CORNER, the Greek God of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (that’s accurate, right?), Noah “Thor” Syndergaard, takes the ball for the Mets. Syndergaard is having a hugely impressive season, working as one of the top pitchers in baseball, behind only Clayton Kershaw and Jose Fernandez. With a 30.4% strikeout rate and an average fastball velocity of 98.1 MPH, Cubs hitters will certainly have their work cut out for them.
But the Cubs have more payback to deliver, and it would feel good to do it behind their ace.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (56-36) at New York Mets (49-43), 6:05 CT on CSN-C, ESPN (out-of-market only), 670 The Score.
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down there in the comments, so have fun. But keep it “safe for work” type fun, all right?
The Series Preview lives here. The Lineup Discussion lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jake Arrieta (R): 2.68 ERA, 3.04 FIP, 3.39 xFIP; 2.81 K/BB
versus
Mets: Noah Syndergaard (R): 2.56 ERA, 2.04 FIP, 2.42 xFIP; 7.11 K/B
New York Mets Lineup:
1. Jose Reyes, 3B
2. Curtis Granderson, RF
3. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
4. James Loney, 1B
5. Neil Walker, 2B
6. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
7. Michael Conforto, RF
8. Rene Rivera, C
9. Noah Syndergaard, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Tommy La Stella, 3B
2. Kris Bryant, RF
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Ben Zobrist, 2B
5. Willson Contreras, LF
6. Jason Heyward, CF
7. Addison Russell, SS
8. Miguel Montero, C
9. Jake Arrieta, P
