Game Sixty-Seven: Cubs (28-38) vs. Mets (24-39)
- Game Time – 12:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 183/844
- Location – Citi Field, Flushing
Matt Garza (1-1, 6.26/1.35) vs. Jeremy Hefner (1-6, 4.11/1.26)
Happy Father’s Day from the CCO!
The Cubs wrap up the three-game set and season series against the Metropolitans this afternoon behind Matt Garza. The Cubs have won three of the first five in the season series with the Mets and Dale Sveum’s team has a chance to leave New York winners of four in a row.
Dale Sveum said on Saturday that Ryan Sweeney or Luis Valbuena could hit at the top of his lineup when there is a right-hander on the hill while David DeJesus is out. Ryan Sweeney has performed quite well to this point after being called up from Iowa early last month. Sweeney has been solid defensively in all three outfield spots while at the plate he has put together a .338/.394/.508 line in 31 games with six doubles, one triple, one home run and a .902 OPS. Sweeney is expected to be in the Cubs’ full time centerfielder while DeJesus is out.
David DeJesus is scheduled to fly to Chicago today and undergo an MRI on his right shoulder on Monday. The Cubs will have a better idea of the severity of his injury after the MRI.
The Cubs decided to activate Shawn Camp from the DL to take DeJesus’ spot on the DL for now. And Camp could see some action today. Kevin Gregg will likely be unavailable after pitching in four straight days and picking saves in consecutive games for only the second time since joining the Cubs (April 26-April 27).
This afternoon all begins with Matt Garza …
The Cubs and Matt Garza both need for the veteran right-hander to pitch well this afternoon. Garza is coming off the worst statistical start of his career. The Reds pounded Garza to the tune of nine runs on nine hits, three home runs and two walks in five-plus innings. Garza made the start which is positive but he has now given up at least four earned runs in three of his five starts. Following his outing against the Reds, Garza said he needed more time to get on the right page with Welington Castillo but that theory was quickly debunked by his manager.
Matt Garza has been a much different pitcher on the road during his time with the Cubs than at Wrigley. While his last start was at Wrigley, he has not thrown the ball all too well outside of his home park this season. Garza is throwing strikes and getting ahead for the most part, he’s been struggling with putting hitters away.
Garza has three no decisions in his first three road starts of the season with a 4.70 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP and makes his second career start against the Mets this afternoon. Garza received a no decision at Citi Field back on September 11, 2011 after allowing three runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Mets Career Numbers against Matt Garza
- John Buck – 3-for-12 with two doubles
- Marlon Byrd – 4-for-11 with two home runs and a walk
- Lucas Duda – 0-for-3 with a walk
- Justin Turner – 0-for-1
- David Wright – 0-for-3 with a walk
Jeremy Hefner took the loss in his last time out after being charged with one earned run thanks to a pair of Mets’ errors. Hefner ended up allowing six runs, one earned, on eight hits with a walk and two strikeouts in six innings to the Cardinals. Hefner has thrown the ball much better since his start in Chicago on May 18. Hefner has not allowed more than three earned runs in four starts against the Braves, Yankees, Nationals and Cardinals.
While Hefner has not posted a win at home this season, Hefner has put up good numbers at Citi Field. Hefner is 0-3 in six starts with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP.
The Cubs beat Hefner at Wrigley on May 18 after he allowed four runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jeremy Hefner
- Darwin Barney – 0-for-2
- Welington Castillo – 1-for-2
- Starlin Castro – 0-for-4
- Anthony Rizzo – 1-for-3
- Nate Schierholtz – 2-for-6 with a triple and a walk
- Alfonso Soriano – 1-for-1 with a double
- Luis Valbuena – One walk and a RBI
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …