Chicago Cubs look to the rookie Tseng to complete the sweep

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 13: Kris Bryant
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 13: Kris Bryant

The Chicago Cubs will send rookie Jen-Ho Tseng to the mound to make his MLB debut tonight against the New York Mets.

The Chicago Cubs are looking for a sweep over the struggling New York Mets, and they’ll turn to rookie Jen-Ho Tseng to get it. The 22-year old rookie will make his debut just days after winning the Cubs’ MiLB Pitcher of the Year Award. He’ll go against the Mets Seth Lugo, who will likely be on a tight pitch count tonight–expected to be around 75.

The Cubs (79-66) are hoping to bounce back with a sweep of their own after the Milwaukee Brewers did the same to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last weekend. Tseng (0-0, 0.00) makes his MLB debut for the Cubs, and it could be a short stay for the rookie. Depending on the status of Jake Arrieta after his next throwing session, he could be headed back out right after. But until then, it’s Tseng’s night.

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The Mets (63-82) will send Lugo (6-4, 4.64) to the hill in the finale. Lugo has been pitching with a partially torn ultra collateral ligament and will see his pitch count monitored. The Cubs could look at it two ways. They need to get to him early, or just wait for the Mets’ bullpen to come in and do their damage against them.

The Cubs will give Taylor Davis the start behind the plate as he’s been with Tseng in Triple-A. Willson Contreras will get the night off, at least to start the evening. He could come into the game one Tseng departs.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s finale:

Next: Tseng to make MLB debut

The Cubs and Mets will see the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. ABC-7 will have the television coverage while The Score 670 will carry the radio broadcast. Be sure to check back after the game for postgame coverage.

Schedule