Game Ninety-Four: Cubs (56-37) vs. Mets (50-43)
- Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: ABC-7, ESPN – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 184, 844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Kyle Hendricks, RHP (8-6, 2.41/1.02/3.45) vs. Bartolo Colon, RHP (8-4, 3.11/1.20/4.03)
The Cubs wrap up the six-game homestand with the rubber game against the Mets. The Cubs are 3-2 in the first five games after the break and a 4-2 mark would be a good way for Joe Maddon’s team to start the ‘second half.’ Today is the last time the Cubs will see the Metropolitans in the regular season. The Cubs have already dropped the season series (1-5).
The Cubs and Mets figure to meet up again this year. But there is a lot of ball left to be played and a lot of work both teams have to do in order to play in the post-season tournament.
The Cubs (1988) and Mets (1986) will wear throwback jerseys today as part of select group of teams participating in MLB’s throwback day. The Cubs are wearing jerseys from 1988, the year before the Boys of Zimmer. The’88 Cubs, led by Don Zimmer finished the season 77-85, fourth in the NL East behind the Mets, Pirates and Expos but a game better than the Cardinals.
Joe Maddon gives the ball to Kyle Hendricks in search of a series win against the Mets. Maddon is running out a balanced lineup against the ageless wonder that is Bartolo Colon.
Cubs batting order: Ben Zobrist RF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Willson Contreras LF, Jason Heyward CF, Addison Russell SS, Miguel Montero C, Javier Baez 2B, Kyle Hendricks P
A win today would make Thursday’s off day a little more enjoyable and put the Cubs back to 20 games over .500 before a five-game road trip to Milwaukee and the South Side of Chicago.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks …
Kyle Hendricks started the ‘second half’ of the Cubs season with a win over the Rangers his last time out. Hendricks pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out three. Hendricks set the tone for the homestand. And the Cubs are looking for him to finish what he started today against the Mets.
Hendricks is 2-0 in his last three games, two starts, with a 0.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Hendricks has allowed one unearned run on seven hits with four walks and six strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. The Cubs are 5-0 in the last five times Hendricks has started a game.
Kyle Hendricks has been very good at Wrigley this season. In 10 games, nine starts, Hendricks is 6-1 at home with a 1.50 ERA and 0.82 WHIP. Hendricks has given up 13 runs, 10 earned, on 40 hits with nine walks and 52 strikeouts in 60 innings.
Hendricks missed the Mets in New York and is 2-0 in two career starts versus the Metropolitans with a 0.69 ERA and 0.69 WHIP.
Mets Career Numbers against Kyle Hendricks
- Neil Walker: 3-for-8 with one double
- Curtis Granderson: 1-for-8
- Wilmer Flores: 0-for-6
- Travis d’Arnaud: 1-for-5
- Juan Lagares: 0-for-5
- Kelly Johnson: 1-for-2
- Jose Reyes: 1-for-3
- Yoenis Cespedes: 1-for-2 with one double
- Michael Conforto: 0-for-1 with one walk
The Cubs get to face everyone’s favorite starting pitcher Bartolo Colon this afternoon. Colon continues to excel at an advanced age. The Mets won both of Colon’s starts since the last time he faced the Cubs on July 2. The Mets are 3-0 in Colon’s last three outings.
Colon was charged with three unearned runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings in a 5-3 win over the Phillies his last time out.
Bartolo Colon is 2-0 in his last three starts with a 4.41 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. And on the road this season, Colon is 5-2 in 10 games, nine starts, with a 2.73 ERA and 1.13 WHIP.
Colon has already beaten the Cubs once this season. For his career, Colon is 1-2 in seven starts with a 3.77 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
The Cubs must layoff Colon’s junk today and make him work.
Cubs Career Numbers against Bartolo Colon
- Ben Zobrist: 9-for-17 with one triple, four home runs and five walks
- Jason Heyward: 7-for-20 with one double, one home run and one walk
- Anthony Rizzo: 1-for-10 with one home run
- Kris Bryant: 1-for-7
- Miguel Montero: 1-for-2 with two walks
- David Ross: 0-for-2 with two walks
- Willson Contreras: 0-for-3
- Tommy La Stella: 1-for-3
- Addison Russell: 0-for-3
- Javier Baez: 0-for-2
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …