Cubs at Mets
Most of the Chicago Cubs’ starting pitchers were dominant in the last turn through the rotation, and the one exception will try to turn things around Friday. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood looks to follow his peers and bounce back from consecutive rough outings when the visiting Cubs play the second of a four-game series against the New York Mets.
Cubs pitchers held the Mets to four hits during a 5-1 win in the series opener, handing New York its third straight home loss and its eighth defeat in its last 11 games overall. The Mets have scored a single run in each of their last three home games. The difference in the opener was the bullpens, as four of the five relievers New York used allowed at least one run, while Chicago’s bullpen allowed only one hit - Brandon Nimmo’s solo homer - in three innings of work. The Cubs have won four of their last five games overall and five of six on the road.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago Plus, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-4, 5.40)
Chatwood has struggled to find the strike zone all season, but particularly in his last two starts. The 28-year-old has issued 11 walks over his last two outings, failing to get through the third inning in either, and has walked 45 in 48 1/3 innings this season. Chatwood is 3-2 with a 4.29 ERA in seven starts against the Mets.
Wheeler is winless in his last five starts and has posted a 6.43 ERA over that stretch, but he has struck out at least six in each of his last four outings. The 28-year-old gave up four runs and six hits over six innings in a no-decision at Milwaukee last time out. Wheeler is 1-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs RF Jason Heyward is 8-for-13 over his last three games, raising his average from .222 to .262.
2. Nimmo had a double and a home run Thursday and owns 10 extra-base hits along with seven RBIs over his past 10 games.
3. Chicago 2B-3B Tommy La Stella collected his 11th hit as a pinch-hitter Thursday, the most in the majors.