Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, July 16, 2022 • 2:20 P.M. ET
Wrigley Field • Chicago, IL
RHP Taijuan Walker (7-2, 2.63) vs. RHP Marcus Stroman (2-5, 4.91)
WPIX • WCBS 880 AM • ESPN 1050

The Mets and Cubs were rained out yesterday, so they’ll play two games as part of a split doubleheader.

The first game today is probably the most anticipated game of the series as Marcus Stroman makes the start against his old club, the New York Mets. Stroman will face Taijuan Walker, who has had an amazing first half of the season and has held the rotation together.

Mets Lineup

Cubs Lineup

The Mets traded for Stroman from the Braves a few years ago. After his second* season with the Mets, he accepted a qualifying offer to stay an additional year (he didn’t play his second season due to the pandemic). Surrounded by injuries last year, Stroman lasted the whole season, making 33 starts, pitching 179 innings while posting a 3.02 ERA and 134 ERA+. This off-season was a bit tumultuous between Stroman and the Mets. Ultimately, Stroman ended up signing a three-year, 71 million dollar deal to play with the Cubs.

Over 10 starts and 51 1/3 innings this season, Stroman has a 4.91 ERA, 4.03 FIP, 1.188 FIP, and an 86 ERA+. He had a short but clean start his last time out, allowing no runs from two hits and a walk over four innings against the Dodgers. That start was his first since returning from the injured list with a shoulder injury. Before Stroman landed on the injured list, he was finally only a roll, allowing only four earned runs over 24 innings. He then allowed nine runs over four innings in a start against the Cardinals (the start he got injured).

The Mets have the following numbers against Stroman:

Taijuan Walker finishes out his amazing first half of the season today for the Mets. Over 15 starts and 85 2/3 innings, he has a 2.63 ERA, 3.00 ERA, 1.097 WHIP, and 152 ERA+. Walker is coming off a very strong start against Miami, where he allowed no runs over seven innings from three hits and a walk. It was his second start in his last three where he went at least seven innings without allowing any runs. Walker has had a 1.85 ERA and a 2.01 FIP over his last six starts and 39 innings where he has also struck out 43 batters. The Cubs have the following numbers against him:

Game Notes

Mets pitchers have struck out 856 batters this season. That is a franchise record for most strikeouts in the first half of a season. The Mets rank third in the majors with 856 strikeouts this season. On the other side of the ball, the Mets have struck out 683 times this season. That is the fourth-fewest times in the majors and the second-fewest times in the Senior Circuit.

Pete Alonso has homered six times in eight career games at Wrigley Field. That is tied with Gary Gaetti for the most home runs through eight career games at Wrigley Field. He is a .270 (8-29) hitter with eight runs, a double, 10 RBI, five walks with a .400 OBP and a .931 SLG in eight career games at the ballpark. In his career, he has hit 75 home runs on the road. That is seventh on the Mets all-time list. Dave Kingman is next with 81.

Let’s go Mets!