Series Preview: Mets Welcome Cubs

The Mets (89-52) are heading home to Citi Field for a three-game series against the Cubs (58-82). During their last series against the Marlins, an inopportune loss in game one saw New York fall behind the Braves in the NL East standings for the first time since April. They bounced back to take the final two games of the series, and with some help from the Mariners (who were playing the Braves) the Mets returned to the top of the NL East with a 1.5 game lead. Hopefully the Mets can take care of business against the Cubs and regrow their division lead. Of course, things also depend on the Mets getting some help from Giants, who are the Braves’ next opponent.

The Mets’ bats were quiet in game one against the Marlins, and with the second-string bullpen pitchers melting down, it’s not surprising the Mets lost that game. But the offense bounced back in a big way in game two, scoring 13 runs. Everyone in the lineup recorded a hit, five Mets had multiple hits in the game, and Francisco Lindor and Eduardo Escobar were each a triple short of the cycle. The bats stayed hot in game three against the Marlins, scoring nine runs thanks in part to Brandon Nimmo, Escobar, and Tomas Nido, who all homered. Escobar in particular has gotten hot of late, homering in five of his last nine games, while Nido’s homer was his first of the season.

After holding on to Willson Contreras and Ian Happ at the trade deadline, the Cubs reeled off six straight series wins. But that success was short-lived, as the Cubs lost every series since, including their most recent one against the Giants. The Cubs are in third place in the NL Central, but it’s not saying much when the two teams they’re ahead of are the lowly Reds and Pirates. The Cubs have had 15 players make their MLB debuts this season and are a team in the middle of a rebuild. Chairman Tom Ricketts spoke with the media on Saturday, and reporter Jordan Bastian quoted Ricketts as stating this season has been a success in terms of player development.

The Cubs and Mets played each other back in July, and the Mets took three of the four games in that series. As long as the Mets’ offense stays hot like it was the last two days in Miami, they should have no problem beating up on the Cubs.

Monday, September 12, 2022: RHP Chris Bassitt (13-7, 3.24 ERA) vs. RHP Javier Assad (0-1, 2.93 ERA)

Bassitt’s last start was against the Pirates. He went seven innings, giving up one run and striking out ten. Bassitt has faced the Cubs once in his career, back in 2019. He pitched six innings, giving up two runs. Of the current Cubs players, only Yan Gomes, Zach McKinstry, and Franmil Reyes have had at-bats against Bassitt. In what are admittedly small samples, none of the three have had success against Bassitt: Gomes is hitless in three at-bats, McKinstry has one hit in six at-bats, and Reyes is hitless in six at-bats.

Assad made his Major League debut for the Cubs on August 23 against the Cardinals. He went four innings in that game, giving up no runs and striking out three. He’s made two other starts for the Cubs since then, and also pitched an inning in relief. His most recent start was against the Reds. He tossed 5 1/3 innings, giving up four runs and striking out six.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022: RHP Jacob deGrom (5-1, 1.66 ERA) vs. RHP Adrian Sampson (1-5, 3.76 ERA)

Even though he missed the first half of the season due to injury, deGrom is still having a great 2022 season. He’s been the same ace he was for the Mets before he went down injured halfway through the 2021 season. His most recent start this season was against the Pirates. He went seven scoreless innings, giving up only three hits and striking out eight. DeGrom has ten starts against the Cubs in his career, with a 3.13 era in 60 1/3 innings.

Sampson’s most recent start was against Reds. He went six innings, giving up one run on five hits, while striking out one. Sampson faced the Mets earlier this season, back in July. His start was the only game the Cubs won in that four-game series. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs. He gave up six hits, walked three, and struck out one.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022: TBD vs. Drew Smyly (6-8, 3.57 ERA) 

The two options for the Mets for this game are Trevor Williams and David Peterson. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets’ preference is to have Williams start, as long as he is not needed out of the bullpen in games one or two.

Smyly’s most recent start was against the Giants. He pitched seven innings in that game, giving up one run and striking out eight. Smyly’s start was the only game the Cubs won against the Giants. Smyly also faced the Mets back in July. He went 4 1/3 innings in that start, giving up two runs and striking out four.