Picture Credit: MLB.tv & ESPN
Probable Pitchers:
Jameson Taillon (1.69) Luis Severino (2.67)
Javier Assad (2.00) Sean Manaea (3.33)
Shota Imanaga (0.98) Jose Butto (2.86)
Ben Brown (4.30) Adrian Houser (8.37)
The New York Mets (14-13) continue the homestand with a four game series against the Chicago Cubs (17-11).
The Cubs are off to a good start to the 2024 season largely due to the starting pitching. They are currently 6-4 in the last ten games with a sweep against the Astros. The entire starting rotation for the Cubs has a sub 2.01 ERA except for Ben Brown, but as a whole the Cubs have a team ERA of 4.23. The biggest issue for the Cubs has been their bullpen. They’re currently nine pitchers that have made appearances coming out of the bullpen that have over a 4.00 ERA. The Mets have struggled early in games all year long, and from the looks of it this should be a tough series to turn that narrative around. However, if they can get to the Cubs bullpen quickly this can be a promising series offensively for the Metropolitans.
The Cubs lineup is another part of why they have 17 wins on the season. Cody Bellinger and Michael Busch have had great starts both leading the team in home runs and RBIs. Bellinger is currently on the 10-Day IL due to a rib injury and does not have a time on his return, but he was seen throwing and doing light hitting in Boston last night. The Cubs currently rank top 10 in runs, RBIs, walks, OBP, and OPS, which will be a tough task for the Mets but it is there for the taking at home.
For the Mets a tough week comes to an end with new hopes and perhaps some new swagger. Yesterday Mark Vientos came off the bench in the 9th inning and had his signature Mets moment in his young career hitting a walk off two run home run in the 11th to end the week on a high note. With what seemed like a brutal week for the Mets, did not turn out as worse as it seems. In the last 10 games the Mets have a record of 5-5 and are currently one game above .500. They are currently sitting 5.5 games back from the Braves in the National League East and a half a game back from the Reds in the wildcard standings.