Hot-hitting Eduardo Escobar will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the New York Mets (89-53) host the Chicago Cubs (59-82) at Citi Field on Tuesday. The Cubs took Monday’s series opener 5-2, their second head-to-head victory in five games this season. Starter Javier Assad went six innings, giving up one run on five hits and striking out six, to get the win, and Brandon Hughes threw 1.2 innings to pick up his fifth save. Rafael Ortega was 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Zach McKinstry added a home run and two RBIs. Francisco Lindor went 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Mets.
ON THE MOUND
Adrian Sampson (1-5, 3.95 ERA) is slated to start for Chicago. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 4-3 road defeat against the Reds on Thursday. He scattered five hits while striking out one in the no-decision. Sampson has made one previous start against the Mets this season, a 3-2 home victory on July 17. He surrendered two runs on six hits over 5.1 innings, striking out one and walking three. For New York, RHP Jacob deGrom (5-1, 1.66 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cubs. deGrom made one start against the Cubs in 2021, throwing three innings in a 6-3 home win on June 16. He didn’t give up a hit and struck out eight in the no-decision. In his last start on Wednesday, deGrom got the win on the road against the Pirates. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 10-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.1. Against right-handed pitchers like deGrom this season, the Cubs have a .705 OPS. Willson Contreras is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .804 OPS in 296 at-bats. New York is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.7 for the season, with a better slash line (.328/.404/.534). The Mets have a .757 OPS against right-handers in 2022, second highest in the league. With a .860 OPS over 278 at-bats, Daniel Vogelbach has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 29-40 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. New York has lost three in a row in front of their home fans. The Mets are 46-24 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.3. Chicago is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Citi Field with an average scoreline of 4.2-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 24 games behind the division-leading Cardinals. The Mets lead the NL East by one games over the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
New York Mets (-400)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
