The New York Mets (34-39) haven’t won a road series since April, and it feels like their season is slipping away as a result. After blowing a game in Atlanta last night thanks to questionable base running and a poor performance from Steven Matz, the Mets head to the Windy City to continue their 11-game road trip. Next up is a four game series with the Chicago Cubs (40-33), who have been red hot and climbed to the top of the National League Central. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
2018 was an interesting year for the Chicago Cubs, who led the NL Central for most of the season before fading down the stretch, forcing a one game playoff with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs dropped that game to finish the regular season at 95-68, a game out of first, and lost the Wild Card game at Wrigley Field to the Colorado Rockies. Despite the poor finish, the Cubs maintained faith in their core, making only minor changes to their roster over the winter. The Cubs’ faith was rewarded as the group has rebounded nicely, and the club just made a significant investment in its weakest unit, the bullpen, by signing Craig Kimbrel to a three year deal. Kimbrel is still building up his stamina in the minor leagues now, but when he does arrive the Cubs should be well positioned to battle Milwaukee and St. Louis for the NL Central title for the rest of the summer.
The Mets will send righty Walker Lockett (0-3, 9.60 ERA for San Diego in 2018) to the mound today. Lockett, who is filling in for the injured Noah Syndergaard, was the key return from the Cleveland Indians in the Kevin Plawecki trade and has pitched to a 3.28 ERA in four appearances for AAA Syracuse. The Cubs will counter with right hander Tyler Chatwood (3-1, 3.60 ERA). Chatwood last pitched on June 11, giving up two runs in 2.2 innings against the Colorado Rockies, and he is filling in for the injured Kyle Hendricks.
Local Coverage:
Television: SNY
Radio: WCBS
New York Mets Lineup:
Line🆙 👇 pic.twitter.com/BlukvVzND3
— New York Mets (@Mets) June 20, 2019
Pre-Game Notes:
- The Mets went 1-6 against the Cubs in 2018, but their one win came at Wrigley Field last August, where the Cubs won two out of three.
- Lockett made one start against the Cubs last August, giving up five runs in five innings to suffer his second loss of the season.
- After sitting out last night, Robinson Cano is back in the Mets’ lineup. Cano will start at second base and bat third.
- Chatwood is 3-2 with a 3.95 ERA in eight starts against the Mets.
- Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber each went 2 for 3 with a homer against Lockett last August.
- Cano is 3 for 6 with an RBI in his career against Chatwood.
- Daniel Zamora was optioned to AAA Syracuse to make room for Lockett on the active roster.
- With Dave Eiland and Chuck Hernandez fired, Phil Regan and Ricky Bones are the interim pitching coach and bullpen coach for the Mets.
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