National League Championship Series Game 3: Cubs (97-65, 0-2) vs. Mets (90-72, 2-0)
- Game Time – 7:07pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: TBS – Radio: WBBM 780, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 89 (Cubs), 844 (Cubs), 184 (Mets), 80 (National) and ESPN Radio
- Location – Wrigley Field
Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95/1.16/3.36) vs. Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54/0.98/2.70)
The National League Championship Series – Game 3
Mets Lead the Series 2-0
Weather permitting … It’s Tuesday in what is a must-win for the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series. Joe Maddon gives the ball to Kyle Hendricks looking for his young right hander to keep the Mets in check while the offense gets on track against Jacob deGrom.
The Cubs hit the ball rather hard in New York and had very little to show for it. The Cubs must make deGrom work, stay with their approach and maybe, just maybe, the ball will bounce their way tonight.
Tonight is the latest date on the calendar the Cubs have ever hosted a game at Wrigley Field. Prior to these next three games versus the Mets, Oct. 15, 2003 is the latest a game has been played at the old ballyard.
The first inning is key for the Cubs and possibly the rest of the series. Kyle Hendricks must keep the Mets from scoring, each of the first two games the Cubs have been in an early hole and the talented Mets’ staff has been able to pitch with a lead from the second inning on.
Jacob deGrom has struggled against the Cubs. Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are the only teammates to hit back-to-back homers off him this season (May 11). Keeping the pressure on deGrom, who has struggled against the Cubs, could pay off with a win at the end of the night.
Tonight all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks makes his second post-season start after a solid first outing in St. Louis. Hendricks made three mistakes in 4 2/3 innings and each one left the park. Hendricks allowed three runs on four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts. All three runs came on longballs. Hendricks did not help the Cardinals, which was key. Hendricks must make sure the Mets earn any and all baserunners tonight.
Joe Maddon would be thrilled to get Hendricks through the lineup two times and at least six innings. Hendricks has to pitch ahead in the count in order to be effective … and the defense must make the plays behind him.
Kyle Hendricks was 2-3 in 15 starts at Wrigley during the regular season with a 3.38 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. And Hendricks faces the Mets for the second time on the year tonight, third time in his career.
Kyle Hendricks beat the Mets at Citi Field on June 30 in a game the Cubs won 1-0. Hendricks threw six scoreless innings while allowing three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Hendricks is 2-0 in two career starts versus the Mets with a 0.69 ERA and 0.69 WHIP (one run, six hits, three walks, nine strikeouts in 13 innings). Both of Hendricks career starts against the Mets have come at Citi Field.
Mets Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Lucas Duda: 2-for-4 with one home run and two walks
- Curtis Granderson: 1-for-6
- Daniel Murphy: 1-for-6 with one double
- Juan Lagares: 0-for-5
- Wilmer Flores: 0-for-4
- Travis d’Arnaud: 0-for-3
- Kelly Johnson: 1-for-2
- David Wright: 0-for-3
- Michael Cuddyer: 0-for-2
Jacob deGrom has been labeled the Ace of the Mets staff. Listening to the national media, there is no reason for the Cubs to even try today and should just mail it in. deGrom was very good in the series against the Dodgers. deGrom allowed two runs on 11 hits with four walks and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings. The Dodgers could not capitalize in Game 5 and deGrom won the series clinching game.
Not counting the post-season, deGrom was 8-4 in 15 road starts this year with a 3.09 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. deGrom allowed 35 runs, 33 earned, on 77 hits with 19 walks and 97 strikeouts in 96 innings.
The Cubs handed deGrom two of his eight losses in the regular season. And deGrom is 0-2 in three career starts against the Cubs with a 6.46 ERA and 1.70 WHIP.
In the two meetings this season, deGrom was 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA and 1.74 WHIP. deGrom allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 12 hits with six walks and seven strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.
Tonight is Jacob deGrom’s third career start at Wrigley Field. deGrom is 0-1 in the first two with a 7.20 ERA and 1.70 WHIP (eight runs on 10 hits with seven walks and eight strikeouts in 10 innings).
Jacob deGrom dominated right handers during the regular season. And lefties hit 12 of the 16 home runs he gave up during the regular season. Left handers batted .245/.283/.357 against him in 2015 while right handers managed a .181/.225/.228 slash line.
Cubs Career Numbers against Jacob deGrom
- Starlin Castro: 2-for-8 with one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 3-for-9 with one home run
- Chris Coghlan: 1-for-4 with two walks
- Tommy La Stella: 0-for-5
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-2 with one home run and one walk
- Chris Denorfia: 1-for-3
- Dexter Fowler: 1-for-1 with one walk
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-3
- Jorge Soler: 0-for-2
- David Ross: 0-for-2
- Travis Wood: 1-for-2 with one home run
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …