Game Chat: Cubs vs Mets, 7:10 PM

Friday, May 9, 2025 • 7:10 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.86) vs. RHP Clay Holmes (4-1, 2.95)
SNY • MLBN

It’s a first-place clash this weekend at Citi Field!

The Chicago Cubs (22-16) head into town to face off against the New York Mets (24-14). The Cubs have gotten to this point with their power (No. 3 in the league with 55 home runs and a .781 OPS). The Mets are being lead by their pitching (No. 1 in the league with a 2.89 ERA). It’s a classic pitching vs. hitting matchup this weekend in Queens!

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – RF
3. Pete Alonso – 1B
4. Brandon Nimmo – LF
5. Francisco Alvarez – C
6. Brett Baty – 3B
7. Luisangel Acuña – 2B
8. Jeff McNeil – DH
9. Tyrone Taylor – CF

Holmes has a 2.95 ERA, 2.21 FIP, 1.282 WHIP and a 132 ERA+ over 36 2/3 innings (seven starts) this season. He’s coming off of an average start against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings. Notably, it was only the second time this season that he finished the sixth, and it was the second time he’d done it in his last three outings. He may be turning a corner, consistently going deeper into games.

Holmes faced the Cubs once in relief in 2024, holding them scoreless in one inning while striking out two batters. They have the following numbers against him:

• Miguel Amaya 0-1, K
• Jon Berti 1-3, K
• Vidal Bruján 0-4, K
• Ian Happ 1-6, 2K
• Nico Hoerner 1-3, HR
• Carson Kelly 1-2, K
• Nicky Lopez 0-3
• Seiya Suzuki 0-1, K
• Dansby Swanson 0-5, 3 K
• Kyle Tucker 1-5
• Justin Turner 3-7, 2B, HR, BB

Opposing Lineup

1. Ian Happ – LF
2. Kyle Tucker – RF
3. Seiya Suzuki – DH
4. Michael Busch – 1B
5. Carson Kelly – C
6. Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF
7. Nico Hoerner – 2B
8. Dansby Swanson – SS
9. Nicky Lopez – 3B

It’s a battle of former Yankees tonight with Taillon on the mound. Over 39 2/3 innings (seven starts), Taillon has a 3.86 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 1.034 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. Over his last three starts, he has allowed only four runs on 11 hits and three walks over 18 innings (2.00 ERA, 2.88 FIP). Taillon was extremely efficient against the Mets in 2024, allowing only two runs on 10 hits over 14 1/3 innings while striking out 11 batters. Both of the Mets runs came on solo shots.

They have the following career numbers against Taillon:

• Pete Alonso 2-9, HR
• Francisco Alvarez 2-3, 2B, HR, K
• Francisco Lindor 2-13, 4 K
• Starling Marte 0-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 2-9, K
• Brandon Nimmo 2-8, HR, BB, K
• Juan Soto 1-11, 5 K
• Tyrone Taylor 1-10, 2B, 4 K
• Luis Torrens 0-3, 2 K
• Mark Vientos 0-5, K

Game Notes

• Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that the hope is for right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas to face live hitters by the end of next week. He has not yet appeared in a game for the Mets due to a lat strain that he sustained during spring training. Montas signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the club this past offseason that includes an opt-out after 2025.
• Vientos is not in the lineup for a second-straight game as the Mets prioritized getting a pair of left-handed hitters into the lineup against Taillon with Baty and McNeil.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Juan Soto Szn. In seven games in May, Soto has gone 9-for-26 at the plate with two doubles and four home runs while scoring eight runs (.346/.455/.885 slash line). Two-thirds of his hits have been for extra bases! He has a 1.6 bWAR, which is second for position players on the Mets behind Alonso’s 2.0. His 148 OPS+ is also second on the team.
2. The battle of barrels. The Cubs are No. 8 in the league in barreling the ball (9.7%, just ahead of the Mets, who are at 9.4%). Holmes is in the 89th percentile, with opponents barreling the ball only 3.9% of the time.
3. Papal Conversation. The Cubs tried to claimed that Pope Leo XIV is a Cubs fan (there is a picture floating around with a Cubs hat in his hand). His brother did an interview Thursday afternoon, however, where he said the Pope actually roots for the White Sox. The real question is: does SNY make a Pope graphic tonight?

Let’s go Mets!

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