The Mets will look to even their four-game series with the Cubs tonight at Wrigley Field at 8:05 PM ET.
Here is tonight’s starting lineup for New York:
Here is tonight’s pitching matchup:
Noah Syndergaard (0-0, -.– ERA) will start for the Mets. He will be making his big league debut tonight.
Jake Arrieta (3-3, 3.41 ERA) will start for the Cubs.
Key matchups vs. Arrieta:
Curtis Granderson: 9-for-25, 3 HR, 8 RBI
Lucas Duda: 3-for-6, 3 BB
Michael Cuddyer: 2-for-6
Here’s what I’m looking for from the Mets:
It’s Noah Syndergaard Day.
Or #ThorDay, or #ThorsDay, or whatever is ultimately decided. Whatever it’s called, it’s a big day for Syndergaard, the Mets and Major League Baseball as one of the most prized pitching prospects in the game will make his highly anticipated big league debut.
Things finally clicked into gear for Syndergaard recently which helped him to earn his long-awaited graduation to the big leagues. Over his last three starts with Triple-A Las Vegas, Syndergaard had a 0.82 ERA in 22 innings, having allowed two earned runs, 11 hits, and just two walks with 27 strikeouts. He’s in command of all four of his plus pitches right now – the key will be for him to continue the approach he’s had recently with Las Vegas, and that is to establish the fastball and off-set it with a good mix of his nasty curveball, heavy slider and tailing change-up.
He’s going to have butterflies and be extra amped when he takes the mound for the first time tonight, but he’s got a familiar battery mate who will has said he will help him through the nervous part of his debut.
This should be a fun night.
A little bit better luck at the plate.
The Mets posted a .182 average on balls in play yesterday thanks to some incredible plays by the Cubs infield and some other hard luck. That’s frustrating, but it happens. Their approached improved as the game went on, but they just kept rolling snake eyes, particularly with runners on-base. They’ve generally been better offensively in the last three games, so hopefully that approach continues tonight – if it does, some of those balls are bound to fall the Mets way.
Even things up.
The Mets don’t want to fall down 2-0 in this four-game series in Chicago. It’s important they establish some footing tonight and start to show they can win consistently on the road, in particular in these difficult venues to play in.
Just Mets 