Game Forty-Two: Cubs (17-24) vs. Mets (16-23)
- Game Time – 12:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183/844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Scott Feldman (3-3, 2.53/1.15) vs. Jeremy Hefner (0-4, 4.61/1.29)
The Cubs will try to get back on track this afternoon behind Scott Feldman. Even with Friday’s loss to the Mets, Dale Sveum’s team is 12-11 over the last 23 games and a win today will give them a shot at not only three straight series victories but a winning homestand.
For the second game in a row, the Cubs will face a starting pitcher they have very little first-hand knowledge about. Jeremy Hefner has not won a game all season and the Mets are 0-7 in his seven starts but he has pitched better than his record and ERA. Look for Dale Sveum to load his lineup with as many lefties as possible this afternoon. Lefties are hitting a robust .350/.437/.597 against Hefner with six home runs and nine walks while striking out five times. Hefner has been very successful against right handers to the tune of a .182/.250/.278 line with 22 strikeouts to only seven walks.
This afternoon it all starts with Scott Feldman.
Scott Feldman is coming off his fourth straight quality start and the fourth straight game the Cubs have won in which he started. Feldman received a no decision last Sunday after he pitched out of a first inning jam and allowing only one run over six innings to the Nationals. Feldman did an excellent job of righting his ship after a bad first inning, and in the process put his team in a position to win the game … and the Cubs ended up stealing a victory and a series on the road.
After a rough start to his season, Feldman has really turned his year around. Feldman is 2-0 in his last three starts with a 1.23 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP … teams are hitting just .132 against him over that span.
Scott Feldman makes his fourth start at Wrigley this afternoon. Feldman is 2-1 in three starts at his new home park with a 1.77 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. Feldman makes just his second career start versus the Mets today. The Mets pounded Feldman to the tune of seven runs, six earned, on eight hits over five innings. Feldman walked two and struck out one and was obviously hung with the loss back on June 13, 2008 in Queens.
John Buck (3-for-13 with two doubles and a home run) and David Wright (0-for-2) are the only players on the Mets’ active roster that has faced Scott Feldman in a big league ball game.
Jeremy Hefner makes his first career start against the Cubs this afternoon. Hefner is coming off a no decision against the Cardinals in which he allowed three runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Hefner has pitched better than his line indicates this season despite the fact that the Mets are 0-7 in the games Hefner has started this season.
Hefner has really struggled on the road. The 27-year old right hander is 0-2 in four games, three starts, outside of Citi Field with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.
The Cubs faced Hefner last season at Wrigley. Hefner pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings with a strikeout in a 5-3 Cubs win on June 26.
Starlin Castro (0-for-1), David DeJesus (0-for-1), Anthony Rizzo (0-for-1), Nate Schierholtz (1-for-4 with a triple and a walk) and Alfonso Soriano (no official at bat) have a limited number of at bats in their careers against Jeremy Hefner.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …