9/12/17 Game Preview: New York Mets at Chicago Cubs

The New York Mets (63-80) had a good home stand last week, winning five out of seven games against the Phillies and Reds, which was nice but doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. The season has long been over for the Mets, who fell out of playoff contention before the All Star Break, making their opportunities to impact the postseason picture few and far between. The Mets will get a major opportunity to play spoiler this week when they open a nine game road trip against the National League Central leaders, the Chicago Cubs (77-66). First pitch for the opener of this three game series is scheduled for 8:05 pm at Wrigley Field.

The Mets will send right hander Robert Gsellman (6-6, 5.44 ERA) to the mound tonight. Gsellman pitched well in his last start, giving up three runs (two earned) in six innings to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies last Wednesday. The Cubs will counter with left hander Jose Quintana (9-11, 4.32 ERA), who they acquired in a mid-season deal with their cross town rivals, the Chicago White Sox. Quintana was great in his last outing, tossing six shutout innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday, but he didn’t factor into the decision thanks to a lack of run support. The Cubs ended up scoring a 1-0 win in that contest after Quintana departed.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. 2B Jose Reyes
2. LF Nori Aoki
3. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
4. C Travis d’Arnaud
5. CF Juan Lagares
6. 1B Dominic Smith
7. SS Amed Rosario
8. RF Travis Taijeron
9. SP Robert Gsellman

Pre-Game Notes:

• The Mets won two out of three against the Cubs at Citi Field back in mid-June.
• The Mets lost two out of three against the Cubs at Wrigley Field last July.
• Gsellman has never faced the Cubs before.
• Quintana has faced the Mets once before, allowing one run in seven innings of work against them last season as a member of the White Sox, but was stuck with a loss in the contest.
• After sitting out on Sunday, Asdrubal Cabrera and Juan Lagares are back in the Mets’ lineup. Cabrera will bat third and play third base while Lagares will bat fifth and play center field.
• Brandon Nimmo will sit with a lefty on the mound tonight. Travis Taijeron will start in right field and bat eighth.
• The Mets have recalled catcher Tomas Nido from AA Binghamton now that the Rumble Ponies’ season is over. Nido will wear #77 and is available off the bench today.