IGT 06/30 CHC@NYM

[Edgy MD]

The Mets took you down last autumn, Cubs, and the Mets will take you down again. That's just how it is. That's how it was in 1969, and that's how it would have been in 1984, if the season went but a few more games.

Lackey is 7-4. But Matz is 7-3. So...

[ashie62]

Looking for Koosman to drill Santo.

[Edgy MD]

I'm looking for Mookie to run hog wild on Jody Davis.

[Lefty Specialist]

Uh-oh.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Chi. Cubs at NY Mets
When: 7:10 PM ET, Thursday, June 30, 2016
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

A rematch of last year�s National League Championship Series is on tap starting Thursday, as the New York Mets host the Chicago Cubs for a four-game set. The first-place Cubs are coming off a three-game road sweep of Cincinnati, while the Mets have dropped four straight to fall six games back of Washington in the National League East.

New York�s hopes of getting back to the World Series � or even the postseason � are pinned to a talented starting rotation that shut down the Cubs last October, but injuries have wracked both the lineup and the pitching staff. Mets left-hander Steven Matz, who has been bothered by a bone spur in his pitching elbow but hopes to pitch through the pain and avoid surgery, will start the series opener, while right-hander Noah Syndergaard � Sunday�s scheduled starter � also is battling a bone spur in his pitching elbow. The Cubs have battled their share of injuries, but a steady stream of talented prospects continues to plug the holes. Javier Baez had three hits and another sparkling defensive play in Wednesday�s 9-2 win over the Reds, while Albert Almora Jr. belted his first career home run and fellow rookie Willson Contreras knocked in another run and has hit safely in 10 of the 11 games in which he has had a plate appearance.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Chicago, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH John Lackey (7-4, 3.29 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (7-3, 3.29)

Lackey is coming off his worst outing of the year, a clunker in which he allowed seven runs and seven hits over 4 1/3 innings of a loss at Miami. The 37-year-old has lost two straight starts and has just one win in his last six road outings. Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in four starts against the Mets and allowed only two runs over 14 innings in two meetings last year.
Matz won seven straight starts across April and May but is winless in his last five outings. The 25-year-old endured his roughest outing since his season debut Friday at Atlanta, allowing six runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Matz will face the Cubs for the first time in the regular season, though he started Game 4 of last year�s NLCS and limited Chicago to one run over 4 2/3 innings in a no-decision.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 16-for-36 with four homers during a 10-game hitting streak.
2. Mets 1B James Loney hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning of Wednesday�s 4-2 loss at Washington, snapping New York�s 23-inning scoreless streak.
3. Chicago is 47-4 when scoring four or more runs, while the Mets are 29-7 when putting up at least four.

[Edgy MD]

Mentioned in the roster thread, but tonight we welcome Seth Lugo to the bullpen, though I think an official announcement has yet to be made. Seth will be the first "Seth" and first "Lugo" in Mets history. He wore 67 during spring training, and if he sticks with that, he'll hit the debut trifecta, breaking nu Mets ground with each element of the back of his uniform.

Seth was drafted in 2011 under the name "Jacob Lugo" and looks to be the fifth member of that draft class to debut with the Mets, following Jack Leathersich, Logan Verrett, Danny Muno, and Brandon Nimmo. That number grows from five to eight if you count the 2011 Met draftees (Michael Fulmer, Corey Mazzoni, John Gant) who have broken through with other organizations.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Who does Lugo look like? Matt Reynolds? Can't put my finger on it.

[bmfc1]

He looks like Logan SeanGilEdgin.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Zobrist RF
Bryant 3B
Rizzo 1B
Contreras C
Baez 2B
Szczur LF
Russell SS
Lackey P
Almora Jr. CF

Nimmo RF
Walker 2B
Cespedes CF
Loney 1B
Cabrera SS
Johnson LF
Flores 3B
d�Arnaud C
Matz P

Edited June 30, 2016 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Seize that day, Brandon Nimmo!

[Lefty Specialist]

Looks like a lineup that can squeak out a run on four hits tonight.

[Edgy MD]

YEAH, BUT HOW ABOUT THAT METS UNIT?!!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Maybe a black cat will stray about this evening.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

There's that line from Return of the Jedi: "How are we doing?"

"Same as usual."

"That bad?"

Down 2-0 already.

[ashie62]

This is really getting old. Makes me channel surf.

[Edgy MD]

Get back to SNY. Rusty Staub is on!

[ashie62]

Hey we got a hit. Thanks Travis!

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

It seems like Matz is dealing, with 6 Ks so far. But he's got to know being down 2 is pretty much a death knell for this team.

[Guest cooby]

Lordy Lordy look who's 40.

Don't be so sure

[Edgy MD]

Loney is the only guy the opposition will come up and in on.

[ashie62]

Nimmo learning RF at the MLB level.

[Edgy MD]

I just got a bone spur.

[Edgy MD]

Wow, C�spedes gets something modestly close to the middle of the plate and hits it to Gowanus.

[Guest themetfairy]

Wow!

[Edgy MD]

First triple-decker in Citi history? Really?

[Guest d'Kong76]

Yeah, they said it was reached in the HR Derby but never in an
actual game. Kinda surprised Jason Bay never reached it.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Nimmo!

[Edgy MD]

That was VERY Jerry.

This could be a big night. Hang tight, Mets.

You know, do more than hang tight. Let's tack on a few.

[Edgy MD]

That's just an amazingly bad cut from a guy who usually loves the breaking pitch down and in.

Biggest spot for Familia all year. No pressure.

[Edgy MD]

Gulp. Leadoff walk.

Did I say gulp?