IGT 06/03 - Mets at Cubs

[Guest d'Kong76]

NY Mets at Chi. Cubs
When: 8:05 PM ET, Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
SportsDirect Inc.

After taking four of five from one struggling National League representative, the visiting New York Mets look to continue their good fortune on Tuesday when they open a three-game set against the sputtering Chicago Cubs. The Mets appear to have righted the ship by going 6-1 after firing former hitting coach Dave Hudgens. Wilmer Flores belted a grand slam to highlight a six-RBI performance as New York cruised to an 11-2 triumph over Philadelphia on Monday.

While the Mets are ascending, the cellar-dwelling Cubs hope they've hit rock bottom after suffering their fourth loss in five games with a 9-0 drubbing by Milwaukee on Sunday. The downward spiral has made trade speculation run rampant in the Chicago locker room. "There's a lot of talk going on," right-hander Jeff Samardzija said after permitting a season-high eight runs against the Brewers on Sunday. "I'm not saying it gets to you - it's part of the job. Whatever is on the outside doesn't matter."

TV:
8:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-5, 4.31 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (1-1, 3.20)

Wheeler recorded his first win since April 14 in scintillating fashion, striking out the first five batters he faced before fanning nine in 6 1/3 innings versus the Phillies on Thursday. The 24-year-old allowed one run on four hits and reached the six-inning plateau for the fourth time in his last five starts. Wheeler has yet to face the Cubs in his young career.

Arrieta matched a season high by yielding four runs on seven hits in six innings in a 4-0 setback to San Francisco last Tuesday. The 28-year-old has kept the ball in the yard, permitting just one homer in 25 1/3 innings while seeing his pitch count elevated from a conservative total in his first three starts. Arrieta lost his lone career appearance versus the Mets, surrendering four runs in seven innings.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Chicago closer Hector Rondon is expected to return from paternity leave on Tuesday. He became a first-time father on Friday when his wife delivered a son.
2. New York 2B Daniel Murphy, who had two hits and two runs scored on Monday, is batting a robust .315 in his career versus the Cubs.
3. Chicago SS Starlin Castro has reached safely in each of his last 16 games at home, going 21-for-62 during that stretch.

[Frayed Knot]

Today stands to be just another sleepy, dusty, delta day.
Hope that, and the euphoria from the 4-of-5 in Philly, doesn't blunt any momentum as they drive for .500 and for 2nd place against the dregs of the National League.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Never heard of Hector Rondon until just now.

[Zvon]

Did I ever tell you the story about when I climbed up into the Wrigley Field scoreboard?

[Benjamin Grimm]

This is totally becoming a Munsters forum, and I didn't see it coming at all.

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Never heard of Hector Rondon until just now.

I conflate him with Bruce Rondon, the big beefy RHP the Tigers were trying to morph into a closer last year, and I likely with conflate him in the future with Carlos Rodon, the LHP out of NC State who'll likely be a Top-10 pick in the upcoming draft

[Guest d'Kong76]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This is totally becoming a Munsters forum, and I didn't see it coming at all.

I dropped the Herman Munster ball today, hopefully
zvon's Grampa .gif will save the IGT.

[Frayed Knot]

Matt den Dekker, cf
Daniel Murphy, 2b
David Wright, 3b
Curtis Granderson, rf
Chris Young, lf
Lucas Duda, 1b
Wilmer Flores, ss
Travis d'Arnaud, c
Zack Wheeler, rhp



Emilio Bonifacio, 2b
Junior Lake, cf
Anthony Rizzo, 1b
Starlin Castro, ss
Luis Valbuena, 3b
Nate Schierholtz, rf
Chris Coghlan, lf
John Baker, c
Jake Arrieta, rhp

[Edgy MD]

Cubbies doing some lineup juggling. Darwin Barney riding some pine, and taking buddies Mike Olt and Wellington Castillo with him.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Would it be too much to ask to have at least one of
the three game series be a day game? It's Wrigley!!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

nm LGM YGB BBB YYY

[Zvon]

....in Chicago.

Ew, Muffy was wobbed.

[Zvon]

d'Kong76 wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: This is totally becoming a Munsters forum, and I didn't see it coming at all. I dropped the Herman Munster ball today...

[Zvon]

HA! As soon as I post Herman we score.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

FWiW, Granderson gave that some Giant Sequoia there.

Ah, well, one run it is. Let's see what Zack we get tonight.

[Zvon]

Mmm. Nice first for Wheeler. 9 pitches.

[Edgy MD]

How do you like that lookiesee swing for a single by Flores?

[ashie62]

Is Junior Lake related to Mickey Rivers?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Arrieta pitching a little... masochistically, isn't he? Like, "Here, hit me, please."

[Zvon]

You drive these in and I'll take you seriously Matt denDekker.

[Zvon]

Weak try kid. Go rob a homer.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

[Zvon]

Wow. I thought that was outta there. Just an F-9.

[Edgy MD]

I get the idea that that Valbuena shot is a homer in a day game.

[Zvon]

Okay inning for Zack. Cubs get a cheap single. At 34 pitches after two.

1-0 Mets.

[Zvon]

wtf? Danny on the bases is really starting to bother me. Base running is not that complicated Muffy.

[Zvon]

Wheeler, looking good, but does walk a batter. 50 pitches thru 3.

Here's another chance den Dekker.

[Edgy MD]

Something's gotta give with runners in scoring position, but it's not giving yet.

Chase the guy early, anyhup.

[Edgy MD]

Don't be fooled by this Schlitter guy. He may look like he comes from Deer Tick, West Virginny, but nope --- Ridge Park, Illinois. Friend of Hillary.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Game kinda boring, wish they scored 5-6 runs when
they could of.