Courtesy: ESPN
Tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA the Mets and Cubs face off in an interdivisional matchup.
The NL Central-leading Cubs continue their home-stand tonight when the team opens a three-game series against the Mets (NL East) on ESPN’s Monday Night Baseball presented by USAA. The game is the opener in a three-game series between the teams. John Lester (9 – 4) is expected to get the start for the Cubs while Steven Matz (7 – 5) is slated to get the start for the Mets. Lester’s last time on the mound was more than a week ago on July 9th against Pittsburgh. The Pirates won that game in dominating fashion doubling up on the Cubs 12 – 6. Lester threw three innings in the game, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits, 5 earned runs, 3 walks, and 2 home runs. He struck out only 2 of 16 batters that he faced. Teammate Adam Warren, who was credited with the loss, didn’t fare much better. Warren only threw 2 innings but allowed 7 more runs on 5 hits in that short time along with 7 earned runs, 3 walks, and 2 home runs. He struck out only 2 of 14 batters.
Steven Matz’s last time on the mound was roughly a week ago against the Nationals on July 10th. The Nats won that game 3 – 2. Matz took the loss in the game. He threw 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits along the way along with 3 earned runs, 4 walks, and 1 home run, striking out 5 of 29 batters faced.
Even with both pitchers numbers in consideration either team could win this game and series. Chicago is 28 – 15 at home so far on the season while New York is 23 – 22 on the road so far this season. However, the Cubs are 4- 6 in their last ten games and the Mets 5 – 5 in their last 10 games. The Mets come into tonight’s game with some momentum, having picked up a 5 – 0 win against Philadelphia Sunday afternoon. The Cubs come into tonight’s series opener licking its wounds after falling 4 – 1 against the Rangers on Sunday. So each team will have its own motivation for a win tonight when the National League foes go under the lights.
Karl Ravech will have the call for the game tonight on ESPN. He will be joined in the booth by analysts Dallas Braden and Eduardo Perez. As an additional note the game will be blacked out in the Chicago market. Coverage of the game is expected to begin at 7pm ET in all other markets. More information on tonight’s game is available online now along with all of the latest MLB headlines at:
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