Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Mets (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Well last night sure was fun, wasn’t it?

I was talking to Brett earlier today, and we agreed that our overall moods are so much better the morning following a win (especially one like that) – almost annoying so. But one thing I thought of after our conversation was how that wasn’t exactly the case last season.

With perhaps the tiny exception of the losing stretch before the All-Star break, I wasn’t actually all that affected by the losses. After all, the Cubs had gotten off to a meteoric start and almost no team in the NL Central stood any chance – like, at all – of catching up. At a certain point, especially earlier in the season, a loss was just something standing in the way of the Cubs potentially contending for one of the best records of all time.

This year, however, they’re actually singing for their supper. If they don’t play well, they might not make the postseason. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still the favorites, but obviously it’s a lot more of a struggle this season, and that means that the losses really, actually hurt. I think it’s good for us. It can’t (and 100% won’t) always come easily. Maybe we won’t take anything for granted when they start getting hot.

Tonight, Mike Montgomery gets his second start of the season, after a mostly fine 2017 starting against the Rockies (4.0 IP, 3H, 2ER, 3BB, 5Ks). Obviously, he’ll look to last a bit longer this time around, but stretching out (fully) isn’t something accomplished over night. He’ll also work on his control, because his walk rate has been far too high this season. Perhaps that’s why he’s pitching to Miguel Montero who’s better at receiving (and framing) than the starter, Willson Contreras, tonight.

The ghost of Matt Harvey is pitching for the Mets tonight, and he’s struggled mightily against lefties this season (.479 SLG, .356 wOBA). Who wants to bet on an Anthony Rizzo leadoff home run?

Game Info

Chicago Cubs (32-32) at New York Mets (29-34) – 6:10 CT on CSN-C, MLBN (out of market only) 670 The Score

Game Thread and Series Preview

Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.

Starting Pitchers

Cubs: Mike Montgomery (L): 2.43 ERA, 4.07 FIP, 4.43 xFIP; 1.35 K/BB

versus

Mets: Matt Harvey (R): 5.02 ERA, 5.86 FIP, 5.09 xFIP; 1.44 K/BB

New York Mets:

1. Juan Lagares, CF
2. Neil Walker, 2B
3. Wilmer Flores, 3B
4. Jay Bruce, RF
5. T.J. Rivera, 1B
6. Travis d’Arnaud, C
7. Curtis Granderson, LF
8. Jose Reyes, SS
9. Matt Harvey, P

Chicago Cubs Lineup:

1. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
2. Ian Happ, 2B
3. Kris Bryant, 3B
4. Miguel Montero, C
5. Jon Jay, RF
6. Kyle Schwarber, LF
7. Javier Baez, SS
8. Mike Montgomery, P
9. Albert Almora Jr., CF