Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs seeking series win today vs Mets

The Chicago Cubs enter Wednesday night with the opportunity of winning their first series in the month of May, following stellar performances from not only Jon Lester, and Jake Arrieta, but their lineup as well.

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This team has really come together during this series as rookie third baseman Kris Bryant‘s power has finally come around, and the defense has made some clutch plays to help get their pitchers out of tough situations.

Now that the Cubs have the first two games of this four-game set with the New York Mets in their pockets, they’ll send right-hander Jason Hammel to the mound in game three.

Hammel (3-1, 3.52 ERA) picked up a win in his previous start against the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday, a team that he has faced twice this month. In seven innings, Hammel managed to hold the Brewers to just two earned runs on five hits (one home run) and a K/BB ratio of 8/3.

His performance on the mound was backed up by four Chicago Cubs’ (17-15) home runs from Dexter Fowler, Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, and Miguel Montero, but the bullpen would receive a bit of a scare in the bottom of the ninth. Outfielder Ryan Braun launched a three-run shot to right field, bringing his team within a run.

The Mets (20-13), on the other hand, have struggled on the road this season, dropping to just 7-10 to begin the year compared to their 13-3 home record. Yesterday they had their top prospect in right-hander Noah Syndergaard make his debut, but it didn’t quite turn out the way they wanted as the young hurler struggled late.

Veteran outfielder Chris Coghlan broke things open with a two-run shot to right field, extending his team’s lead to 3-0. Syndergaard was charged with three earned runs, picking up his first major league loss.

Although the offense has come alive for this young Chicago Cubs’ team, their toughest test will come in the form of 26-year-old Matt Harvey. Harvey (5-1, 2.52 ERA) started out the year 5-0 until suffering his first loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies last Friday.

Philadelphia tagged him for three earned runs on six hits while he issued one walk and recording four strikeouts. Those three runs were enough to snap Harvey’s five-game win streak as the Mets continued to struggle on the road, losing 3-1.

Here’s a look at tonight’s lineups for both teams:

First pitch for tonight’s game is slated for 7:05 pm central time and will be aired on ESPN, WGN, and WBBM 780.

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