NEWSLETTER
Tyler Chatwood is taking the ball for the Cubs tonight in what will be, frankly, a highly-anticipated start for all the wrong reasons.
You see, Chatwood has been unable to make it out of the third inning in either of his past two starts as the command issues that seemed to go away for a game came back in full force against the Indians and Giants (11 walks in 5.1 IP). Since then, however, Chatwood has worked with pitching coach Jim Hickey to quiet down his mechanics (he may even pitch exclusively out the stretch tonight, though I can’t remember if that was ever confirmed) and he’s apparently very excited to get back out there.
Given how frustrated he was after his last start, I’m actually quite happy to learn that he’s anxious to get back out there. Hopefully, with Chris Gimenez, a better receiver/framer than Willson Contreras, behind the plate, Chatwood can limit the free passes and build some momentum. Because if he can’t, the Cubs are going to probably have to begin considering some alternatives in the rotation (though that’s worst case scenario) and they’re already without Yu Darvish for the time being.
Starting opposite Chatwood is Zack Wheeler, who doesn’t have command issues, or strikeout issues … or contact issues, but somehow still has a 5.40 ERA. I wouldn’t be fooled though, because like I said, most of his peripherals, including his 4.02 FIP, suggest he’s been extremely unlucky. Indeed, a 66.0% strand rate and .331 BABIP have probably been unfair to him. Hopefully, life continues to be unfair tonight.
If the Cubs win this one, they’ll guarantee themselves a four-game road split, which is not at all a bad outcome. Let’s see what they’ve got.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (30-23) New York Mets (27-27) – 6:10 CT on NBC Sports Chicago+, 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: Tyler Chatwood (R): 4.10 ERA, 4.75 FIP; 0.98 K/BB
versus
Mets: Zack Wheeler (R): 5.40 ERA, 4.02 FIP; 2.79 K/BB
New York Mets Lineup:
- Findin’ Nimmo, RF
- Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
- Michael Conforto, CF
- Devin Mesoraco, C
- Jay Bruce, RF
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Luis Guillorme, 3B
- Zach Wheeler, P
- Amed Rosario, SS
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Ben Zobrist, LF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- ALbert Almora Jr., CF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Chris Gimenez, C
- Tyler Chatwood, P
