MMO Game Thread: Cubs vs. Mets, 7:10 PM

Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Monday, June 14, 2021 • 7:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Jake Arrieta (5-6, 4.97 ERA) vs. David Peterson (1-5, 6.32 ERA)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets fell short of the sweep but still took the series from the Padres over the weekend and now welcome the Cubs to Citi Field. New York got strong starting pitching on Sunday from Joey Lucchesi, but between a short bullpen and a short bench, the Mets fell apart after allowing a grand slam to Fernando Tatis Jr. That being said, Lucchesi’s start was confidence-inducing as the Mets head into a stretch with multiple doubleheaders.

The low point for New York this season came against the Cubs, who swept the Mets in three games at Wrigley, leading to a slide that took the Mets under .500 before building up to where they are now.

Mets Lineup

1. Jonathan Villar — 3B
2. Francisco Lindor — SS
3. Dominic Smith — LF
4. Pete Alonso — 1B
5. Billy McKinney — RF
6. James McCann — C
7. Kevin Pillar — CF
8. Luis Guillorme — 2B
9. David Peterson — P

Cubs Lineup

1. Willson Contreras — C
2. Kris Bryant — LF
3. Anthony Rizzo — 1B
4. Patrick Wisdom — 3B
5. Jake Marisnick — CF
6. Jason Heyward — RF
7. Sergio Alcantara — SS
8. Eric Sogard — 2B
9. Jake Arrieta — P

Speaking building up – that’s the goal tonight for David Peterson. Let’s build some confidence back for a pitcher that put together a stellar rookie season in 2020. Peterson has pitched in 11 games (47 innings) this year with a 6.32 ERA, 4.92 FIP, 1.511 WHIP, and a 61 ERA+. His last two starts have been disastrous, allowing nine earned runs over three innings from 11 hits and four walks. His last start against the Cubs also wasn’t great, as he allowed six runs (three earned) over 3.1 innings from four hits and two walks. The Cubs have the following numbers against Peterson:

• Anthony Rizzo 1-1, BB
• Kris Bryant 1-2
• Ian Happ 0-2, 2 K
• Javier Baez 0-2
• Jake Marisnick 0-1

The Mets’ bats get another look at Jake Arrieta. In 12 starts (58.0 innings) this year, he has a 4.97 ERA, 5.31 FIP, 1.448 WHIP, and a 77 ERA+. He’s coming off a strong start where he held the Padres to one run from four hits and a walk over five innings. Before that, he allowed 18 runs (14 earned) over 15.2 innings (8.04 ERA) in four games. He faced the Mets in April, allowing one run in five innings, which had lowered his season ERA to 2.86. April 30th is when the seasons started to unravel a bit for Jake. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

• Tomas Nido 3-5, 2B
• Dominic Smith 7-16, 2 2B, HR, 2 BB, 2 K
• Billy McKinney 1-6, HR, BB, 2 K
• Kevin Pillar 6-15, 2 2B, BB, 2 K
• Jonathan Villar 5-14, 2B, 5 BB, 5 K
• Jose Peraza 2-7, 2 K
• Pete Alonso 5-21, 2B, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 1-5, BB, K
• Brandon Drury 0-9, 2 K
• Luis Guillorme 0-3, K
• James McCann 0-4, 2 K

Let’s Go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Cubs vs. Mets, 7:10 PM first appeared on Metsmerized Online.