Game Thirty-Three: Cubs (17-15) vs. Mets (20-13)
- Game Time – 7:10pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN-TV Ch. 9, ESPN – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 187, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.52/1.04/3.48) vs. Matt Harvey (5-1, 2.72/0.96/3.07)
Jason Hammel takes the hill tonight as the Cubs shoot for three in a row over the New York Mets. It’s another day and another young arm for the Mets, but tonight the Cubs get the best of the bunch in Matt Harvey.
Matt Harvey is back in a big way and has thrown the ball extremely well for Terry Collins. It will be interesting to see the lineup Joe Maddon runs out against ‘The Dark Knight.’ Right handers are hitting .254/.264/.297 while lefties have managed a .200/.256/.337 line against him. Harvey throws a ton of strikes and does not walk batters (38 strikeouts, five walks in 39 2/3 innings) but the Cubs should not change their approach because it has provided more positive results than negatives ones so far this season.
It may be Harvey Day, but tonight for the Cubs it all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel notched another quality start his last time out in Milwaukee. Hammel settled down after a not-so-good first inning and completed seven innings. Hammel allowed two runs on five hits with three walks and a season-high eight strikeouts. Hammel kept his pitch count low. If Hammel is able to be as efficient tonight, hopefully Joe Maddon will let him at least start another inning.
Hammel faces a team not from Milwaukee for the first time since April 27. Hammel was 1-0 in the two starts against the Brewers with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Hammel is 1-0 in three home starts this season with a 3.10 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. And Hammel is looking for his first win against the Metropolitans tonight.
Jason Hammel has made four starts in his career against the Mets. Hammel is 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Hammel missed the Mets last year and has not faced the other team from New York since May 10, 2011. Hammel took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. The Mets topped the Rockies 4-3.
Mets Career Numbers against Jason Hammel
- Curtis Granderson: 7-for-20 with two doubles, two home runs and three walks
- Daniel Murphy: 4-for-8 with one double
- Michael Cuddyer: 0-for-3
- Ruben Tejada: 0-for-2 with one walk
Matt Harvey lost a game for the first time in his last start. Cole Hamels outpitched him and Harvey made it through six innings. Harvey allowed three runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Harvey has been very, very good in his return from Tommy John surgery.
In 39 2/3 innings this season, Harvey has allowed 33 hits with five walks and 38 strikeouts. And he’s pitched better on the road (2-1 in three starts with a 2.18 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP) than at Citi Field (3-0 in three starts with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP).
Matt Harvey makes his second career start against the Cubs. Harvey beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 17, 2013. Harvey allowed two runs on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
Cubs Career Numbers against Matt Harvey
- Chris Coghlan: 3-for-5 with one double
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-6
- Miguel Montero: 2-for-3 with one double and two walks
- Welington Castillo: 0-for-3
- Starlin Castro: 2-for-3
- Jonathan Herrera: 1-for-3
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-3 with one double
- David Ross: 1-for-2 with one double and one walk
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …