MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Cubs, 7:05 PM

Monday, July 18, 2016 • 7:05 p.m. (ET)
Wrigley Field • Chicago, IL
LHP Steven Matz (7-5, 3.38) vs. LHP Jon Lester (9-4, 3.01)
SNY • ESPN • WOR 710 AM • ESPN 1050 AM

The Mets started off the second half well with taking 2 of 3 from the Phillies, including yesterday’s dominating 1-hitter from Jacob deGrom. Tonight they travel to Chicago to play their last regular season games against the Cubs.

Last year the Mets went 0-7 against the Cubs in the regular season, but then they swept Chicago in the NLCS and followed that up with a four-game sweep at Citi Field earlier this season. So the Mets are now 8-0 against the Cubs in their last 8 games.

The Mets have recalled outfielder Michael Conforto from Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Las Vegas (AAA). Conforto hit .344 (21-61) with 15 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, three homers and 15 RBI in 16 games with the 51s.

Mets Lineup

Jose Reyes – 3B
Curtis Granderson – RF
Yoenis Cespedes – LF
Neil Walker – 2B
Wilmer Flores – 1B
Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
Juan Lagares – CF
Travis d’Arnaud – C
Steven Matz – LHP

Chicago Cubs

Javier Baez – 2B
Kris Bryant – 3B
Anthony Rizzo – 1B
W. Contreras – LF
Addison Russell – SS
Matt Szczur – RF
Albert Almora – CF
David Ross – C
Jon Lester – P

Steven Matz will get things started. He’s 7-5 over 16 starts and 96.0 innings with a 3.38 ERA. His last couple of starts have been average as he’s allowed 5 ER over 14.0 innings (3.21 ERA) while striking out 11 and walking 5 against the Marlins and the Nationals, both games where he was the losing pitcher on record. He did face the Cubs earlier this season where he allowed 3 ER over 5.1 innings which included 7 hits, 3 walks and 6 strikeouts. The Cubs have the following numbers against Matz:

Zobrist 2-6, 2B
Baez 2-5, HR
Bryant 1-4, HR
Rizzo 2-5, 2B
Russell 0-1, 2BB
Ross 0-1

The Mets will get another look at Jon Lester who is 9-4 this season over 18 starts and 110.2 innings with a 3.01 ERA. Going into the month of July, he had a 2.03 ERA. He then allowed 8 ER over 1.1 innings against the Mets, and followed that up with allowing 5 ER over 3.0 innings against the Pirates. The Mets have the following numbers against Jon Lester: