Cubs vs. Mets: Series Thread (Games 16-18)

The Cubs (6-9) dropped another series, this time to Atlanta, and now find themselves trailing Pittsburgh and alone in last place in the Central. They did, however, treat us to an offensive explosion in game 2 of that series and got 2-homer games from Bryant, Contreras, and Rizzo in the series. Bryant passed his homer mark from 2020 and is now 0.4 fWAR ahead of his total from that 60-game season, in a quarter of the time. Even so, he's been outhit thusfar by Willson Contreras, who has a .400 OBP. Rizzo's weekend also rocketed his slugging percentage up to .500. So at least the lineup no longer looks like a complete joke when they bring up the 2021 stat graphics at the beginning of the game. The first-place Mets (7-4) roll into town for a midweek series. If the Cubs' bats are going to build on recent success, they'll have to do so against stiff competition.

Game 16, Tuesday, 4/20, 6:40 pm central

CHC: RHP Jake Arrieta (2-1, 3.18 ERA)

NYM: RHP Taijuan Walker (0-0, 2.61 ERA)

Arrieta has strung together three solid if increasingly not-spectacular starts for the season. Last time out he lost while allowing 3 earned runs in 5 innings pitched.

Walker has now pitched in 9 major league seasons; I start with that just in case you are wondering, like I was, how he can be only 28 years old and still seem like he's been around forever. Despite many years of MLB activity, Cubs hitters have seen very little of him. His former division mate, Joc Pederson, has hit .429 against with a homerun in 14 at bats.

Game 17, Wednesday, 4/21, 6:40 pm central

CHC: RHP Zach Davies (1-2, 10.32 ERA)

NYM: LHP David Peterson (1-1, 6.30 ERA)

Davies followed up a 1.2 inning start by going only 4 innings and allowing 4 earned runs last time out. He pitched well enough to earn the win in his first start, but things have taken a nasty turn since then.

Peterson is a lanky lefty coming of a 6-2 debut season with the Mets. He has a broad repertoire of pitches and no history against Cubs hitters.

Game 18, Thursday, 4/22, 6:40 pm central

CHC: RHP Trevor Williams (2-1, 5.02 ERA)

NYM: RHP Jacob deGrom (1-1, 0.45 ERA)

Williams got the lone win against Atlanta. He was the beneficiary of an unnecessary volume of offense, but he allowed only 1 earned run in 5 innings.

Jacob deGrom is matching last year's 98.7 average fastball velocity. This game should be fun. A few Cubs hitters have done well off him--Rizzo is batting .500.