Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Mets Tuesday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2019-08-28T10:00:00-05:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/205971662019-08-28T10:00:00-05:002019-08-28T10:00:00-05:002019 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 131
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<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cubs snap losing streak with 5-2 win over Mets</p> <p id="9fiQVn">With their backs nearing the wall, the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> needed some Heroes. After every game we name three Heroes and three Goats. Sometimes, those three heroes sometimes make big collective contributions in a win, sometimes nominal contributions in a loss. On Tuesday night, the Cubs got three very large contributions that lead to a much needed win. Two of those contributions were from what I’ll call secondary contributors. The other was from one of their core stars. </p>
<p id="nrdCqn"><span>Yu Darvish</span> has been pitching better for a while now. On Tuesday night, he was fantastic. In eight innings, he was charged with just one run. He allowed five hits and a walk. He struck out seven. The walk was the first he’d allowed in more than a month (July 23). The homer, that was less unusual. Not only was it the 31st he’s allowed this season, but it was to <span>Pete Alonso</span>, his 42nd homer of the year. If you had to place a bet on one player in the majors to hit a homer Tuesday night, Alonso would probably have been the safest bet. </p>
<p id="TOdgxb">The least popular Cub, <span>Addison Russell</span>, came up with the biggest hit in this one. An argument could be made that it was the biggest hit of the season to date. Such is the way seasons line up. The games get progressively bigger as the marathon season dwindles down to a relative sprint finish. And so, Russell’s two-run homer in the fifth inning after Alonso’s homer in the bottom of the fourth, was a big one. That was one of three hits he had on the night. Following the huge night at the plate, Russell has a line of .250/.328/.427 on the season. All three numbers would be the largest of his career. With good defense, Russell remains the Cubs’ best option at second base. </p>
<p id="2j4nSh">With <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> remaining day-to-day with back problems and <span>Willson Contreras</span> continuing to try to work his way back from a hamstring issue, the Cubs only have two healthy stars. One of them came up big in this one. <span>Javier Baez</span> had three hits, three RBI and a walk. One of the hits was a two-run homer. In addition, he had two doubles. Ironically, I said his numbers were just a tick below his 2018 numbers and there was some question/disagreement as to what a “tick” was. Well, after this game, he has a line of .285/.319/.543 (wRC+ 116). Compare that to 2018 when he hit .290/.326/.554 (wRC+ 131). Either way, this game was just what the Cubs needed. </p>
<p id="JaETHh">Unfortunately, the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> were winning yet again. Increasingly it is starting to look like for the second year in a row the Cubs might have to look up at a team that got blisteringly hot down the stretch and stole off with the division. In 2018, the Cubs won 95 games. It was hard to hang your head too much. As with any season, there were a number of games that got away that you’d certainly like to get back. But, by and large that was <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> excellence and not a Cub failure. This season is going to feel different. This team is highly unlikely to win 90+ games and almost certainly won’t approach 95. Certainly, this team underachieved to some degree. </p>
<p id="OfRGyQ">Still, the Cardinals winning meant the Brewers lost again. The Cubs winning meant the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> lost. The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> also lost (5-4 to the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>) and the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> lost (shut out 2-0 by the <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a>, of all teams!). So, the Cubs gained ground on all of the key wildcard hopefuls. So there is that at least. The Cubs certainly still have their sites set higher than that, but getting breathing room and gaining a game on the Nationals all work for plan B purposes.</p>
<p id="1ck5QL">With that, we turn our attention to yesterday’s game as we look at what WPA had to say about Heroes and Goats. As always the Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA (Win Probability Added — <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/3/28/17159170/cubs-heroes-and-goats-2018-season-primer">here’s a good explanation of how WPA works</a>) and are not in any way subjective. Many days WPA will not tell the story of what happened, but often it can give at least a glimpse to who rose to the occasion in a high leverage moment or who didn’t get the job done in that moment. Also note, for the purposes of Heroes and Goats, we ignore the results of pitchers while they are batting and hitters while they are pitching. With that, we get to the results.</p>
<p id="dWFsdb"><strong>Game 131, August 27: </strong>Cubs 5, Mets 2 (70-61)</p>
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<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2019-08-27&team=Mets&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2019-08-27&team=Mets&dh=0&season=2019">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="Y3Ibp0"><strong>THREE HEROES:</strong></p>
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<li id="Gydvyt">
<strong>Superhero: </strong>Yu Darvish (.223). Eight innings, one run, five hits, one walk, seven strikeouts. One win. </li>
<li id="JhYOwM">
<strong>Hero: </strong>Addison Russell (.219). Three hits in four at bats. One homer. Two RBI. He did strikeout once.</li>
<li id="k9JMPw">
<strong>Sidekick: </strong>Javier Baez (.141). Javy had three hits and a walk in four plate appearances. He drove in three runs, had two doubles and a two-run homer. </li>
</ul>
<p id="ylnBjM"><strong>THREE GOATS:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="swg0xP">
<strong>Billy Goat: </strong><span>Jason Heyward</span> (-.078). J-Hey was hitless in five at bats. Leading off has really not worked for Heyward. He’s down to just .262/.346/.442 (wRC+ 103) on the season. That would still be his best season as a Cub, but he’s really tailed off. </li>
<li id="ugoiKx">
<strong>Goat: </strong><span>Ian Happ</span> (-.077). Ian was also hitless, though only in four at bats. Kudos though for a second consecutive game at first base. He’s now played 20 innings there this year. After 14 innings in two starts last year, that’s now 34 innings over four games in his professional career. I have found no record of him ever playing the position anywhere at any time in the minors.</li>
<li id="wjIk5F">
<strong>Kid: </strong><span>Nicholas Castellanos</span> (-.035). Nick did have a hit and scored a run on this one. He had four at bats. </li>
</ul>
<p id="x5LR53"><strong>WPA Play of the Game: </strong>After Yu Darvish allowed a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fourth, the Cubs got it back and then some in the fifth. <span>Victor Caratini</span> opened the frame with a double and Addison Russell followed with his eighth homer. (.223)</p>
<p id="JeBkun">*Mets Play of the Game: Peter Alonso’s homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. (.143)</p>
<p id="6WtfkE"><strong>Cumulative Standings Top/Bottom 3:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="VoTzBg">Anthony Rizzo 34</li>
<li id="Tnshg9">
<span>Kris Bryant</span> 29.75</li>
<li id="y9e8zR">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span> 16</li>
<li id="lsKhS7">!<span>Carl Edwards Jr.</span> -12</li>
<li id="fKMrhs">
<span>Jason Heyward</span> -23</li>
<li id="Fbg3ES">
<span>Pedro Strop</span> -20.5</li>
</ul>
<p id="x5Pgmg"><strong>Up Next: </strong>It doesn’t get any easier as the Cubs look for a second straight in New York. A pair of talented hurlers each looking for their 10th win of the 2019 season square off. For the Cubs that is Kyle Hendricks. Kyle is 9-9 with a 3.20 ERA in 143⅓ innings. Over his last seven starts, he is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA in 42 innings. Last time out he threw seven scoreless against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>. He allowed only three hits and struck out seven. He hasn’t started a game against the Mets since 2016. He is 3-0 in three career regular season starts against them though with a 0.47 ERA. Current Mets have only 53 career PA against Kyle with a .631 OPS. <span>Todd Frazier</span> (14, .774) and <span>Wilson Ramos</span> (13, .647) have seen him the most. <span>Joe Panik</span> (9, 1.111) and <span>Michael Conforto</span> (4, 1.167) have the best results.</p>
<p id="ACsFyv">This would be a great time for Kyle to be on his A game as he’s facing one of the best in <span>Noah Syndergaard</span>. Noah is 9-6 with a 3.71 ERA in 160 innings. Over his last seven starts he is 2-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 47⅓ innings. Last time out, he threw six scoreless against the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> allowing two hits and no walks while striking out five. He only threw 73 pitches in that one. He received a no decision in his only start against the Cubs last year. He threw six innings allowing nine hits, three walks and four runs. He did strike out six. </p>
<p id="b8hdoI">The Mets’ right-hander, who will turn 27 tomorrow, has been very tough on both right-handed hitters (.682) and left (.665). He’s also been very good both at home (.660) and on the road (.689). Current Cubs have 92 PA against Noah with a .805 OPS. The injured Anthony Rizzo won’t be sad if he misses this one (14, .536). But Jason Heyward (12, 1.053), Kris Bryant (11, 1.182) and Javier Baez (9, 1.000) have all done quite well against the man they call Thor. </p>
<p id="TU1Mvb">Hopefully, the Cubs can steal another one in New York as they head towards the end of August. </p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/28/20836220/2019-cubs-heroes-and-goats-game-131Thomas Smith2019-08-28T08:00:00-05:002019-08-28T08:00:00-05:00Cubs 5, Mets 2: Yu Darvish dominates and the ballclub wins on the road
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<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs won the first game of a three-game series at New York.</p> <p id="kDuWtT">It’s been clear for some time that the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> would have to begin winning games away from Wrigley Field in order to make the postseason for the fifth straight season.</p>
<p id="UjCNtO">Tuesday’s solid 5-2 win over the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> in New York was a good first step to doing that through the last five weeks of the season. They got outstanding pitching from <span>Yu Darvish</span> and <span>Javier Baez</span> came out of a slump with a 3-for-3 night, including a home run and two doubles. Javy had a TOOTBLAN after the first of the two doubles. <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/27602c9c-6d7d47cd-a2a3b973-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">It came in the second inning [VIDEO].</a></p>
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<p id="QRB8Mt"></p>
<p id="aCr1bb">It’s an old baseball saying: “Don’t make the first out of the inning at third base.” I understand Javy likes to be aggressive, but there was really no reason to take third on that hit. Give credit to the Mets defense on that one, too. Two perfect throws were needed to get Javy, so this one ranks fairly low on the TOOTBLAN meter.</p>
<p id="cAKB8C">Meanwhile, Darvish was mowing down Mets. He allowed a leadoff triple to <span>Michael Conforto</span> in the second inning, but got out of that one, albeit with more hard contact. Here is one of those outs, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/38fe60bc-bb188342-bbc6915b-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">a nice catch by Javy [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="RDclcL"></p>
<p id="ZY2Fuz">Darvish also allowed a two-out single in the third, and then the Mets took the lead in the fourth on a home run by Pete Alonso. It was his 42nd of the season, and that is a new Mets franchise record.</p>
<p id="qDXFCC">Give Alonso a lot of credit. He’s a really good hitter and the likely N.L. Rookie of the Year.</p>
<p id="TFoS75">The Cubs’ offense woke up in the fifth. <span>Victor Caratini</span> led off with a double and <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/985b882b-ab9b4cc3-a88401cc-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Addison Russell was the next hitter [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="hECCZH"></p>
<p id="buVzw8">You can hear all the Cubs fans at Citi Field in that clip — they were loud! For Russell, it was his second home run in as many games, and eighth of the year, giving the Cubs a 2-1 lead.</p>
<p id="VYxEig">In the sixth, <span>Kris Bryant</span> led off with a double and <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/38a175b5-52f97707-c5c5273e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Javy batted next [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="js66kr"></p>
<p id="7uJj2s">The ball bounced off the top of the padding on top of the wall and over for Baez’ 29th home run of the season, and the Cubs had a three-run lead.</p>
<p id="HslyCc">They posted one more in the eighth. <span>Nicholas Castellanos</span> led off the inning with a double, his 46th combined between the <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a> and Cubs, matching his career high. <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/2885edce-ee413c7e-d1abeac1-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">One out later, Javy again [VIDEO].</a></p>
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<p id="43sAMi"></p>
<p id="CzXqv7">It’s now 5-1 and, perhaps more importantly for the offense going forward, it was the fifth inning in which the Cubs had the leadoff hitter reach base.</p>
<p id="3NLCTl">Darvish came out to throw the eighth, and it became the first time he had recorded an out past the seventh inning as a Cub. He finished allowing just five hits and one walk (breaking a walkless streak that had stretched back to July 23), striking out seven, with the only run off him being Alonso’s home run. He threw 73 strikes in 104 pitches, just an outstanding outing. Then there’s this:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With today his last scheduled start of the month, the <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cubs</a>' Yu Darvish finishes August with 42 Ks & 1 BB.<br><br>The only others in the live-ball era (since 1920) to have that many Ks with no more than 1 BB in a month are Cliff Lee in Sep '13 (54/1) & Jeff Samardzija in May '17 (49/1)</p>— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) <a href="https://twitter.com/StatsBySTATS/status/1166530454574587904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2019</a>
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<p id="STtfyk">Darvish has been very, very close to the ace the Cubs need right now. Last nine starts: 2.93 ERA, 0.759 WHIP, 72 strikeouts and three (!) walks in 55⅓ innings. The only thing that hasn’t gone well for him in this span is the long ball, with 11 homers allowed. But with those kinds of results, a few homers don’t hurt too much. Darvish leads the N.L. in home runs allowed with 31, but 19 of those have been solo homers. Fergie Jenkins used to talk about that, how he didn’t mind allowing a home run every now and then, as long as there weren’t other runners on base.</p>
<p id="FrBJXt">Also, Darvish says he has a new pitch:</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's a look at the knucklecurve that Darvish used to K McNeil in the 8th inning. More velo than his usual curve. <a href="https://t.co/pPGf6aQaYZ">pic.twitter.com/pPGf6aQaYZ</a></p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1166550610323398656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So, Yu Darvish currently throws a...<br><br>Four-seamer<br>Two-seamer<br>Cutter<br>Hard cutter<br>Curveball<br>Slow curve<br>Knucklecurve<br>Slider<br>Splitter<br>Changeup<br><br>And he has a 26.0 K/BB ratio dating back to the start of July.</p>— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/1166568483867496448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2019</a>
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<p id="KUZBs5">It all seems to be working for Yu. Keep it up!</p>
<p id="MWLq2N"><span>Brandon Kintzler</span> threw the ninth, entering with a four-run lead. <span>J.D. Davis</span> hit a two-out solo shot off him to make it 5-2, but he got <span>Joe Panik</span> to ground out to end it and the Cubs had their third straight road win. Maybe things are actually turning around for the ballclub away from home. If so, the timing couldn’t be better.</p>
<p id="htKdNr"><a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2019/2019-08/27/f3efff4c-865e397b-88a71191-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here’s Javy on his hitting and baserunning day [VIDEO].</a></p>
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<p id="4GynCX">Lastly, I have to say: I have never been so happy to see the Cubs wearing the blue alternate jerseys, after the Players Weekend uniform fiasco.</p>
<p id="eWULtJ">The Cubs remained three games behind the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, who defeated the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> Tuesday evening. St. Louis and Milwaukee will wrap up their series Wednesday afternoon, so the Cubs will know that result before they begin play against the Mets Wednesday evening.</p>
<p id="GPe7c6">The second game of this series at Citi Field will feature <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> going for the Cubs and <span>Noah Syndergaard</span> for the Mets. Game time is again 6:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via NBC Sports Chicago.</p>
<p id="uFyQd7"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/28/20836508/cubs-mets-recap-yu-darvish-javier-baez-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2019-08-27T20:10:00-05:002019-08-27T20:10:00-05:00Overflow thread 2: Cubs vs. Mets, Tuesday 8/27, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="HAOase">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/27/20833119/overflow-thread-2-cubs-vs-mets-tuesday-8-27-6-10-ctAl Yellon2019-08-27T19:10:00-05:002019-08-27T19:10:00-05:00Overflow thread 1: Cubs vs. Mets, Tuesday 8/27, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="HAOase">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/27/20833114/overflow-thread-1-cubs-vs-mets-tuesday-8-27-6-10-ctAl Yellon2019-08-27T18:05:00-05:002019-08-27T18:05:00-05:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Mets, Tuesday 8/27, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="HAOase">Go get ‘em, Yu.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/27/20833108/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-mets-tuesday-8-27-6-10-ctAl Yellon2019-08-27T16:00:00-05:002019-08-27T16:00:00-05:00Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets preview, Tuesday 8/27, 6:10 CT
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs need to start winning on the road, and now.</p> <p id="xv4RN7">The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> have 32 games remaining in their season. So do the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, who the Cubs trail by three games.</p>
<p id="LBINmQ">So, September begins now, even though it’s still August.</p>
<p id="xMCaRf">I might remind you that a year ago today, as the Cubs prepared to open a series against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> (that one at Wrigley), they led the N.L. Central by four games.</p>
<p id="MzDw64">A lot can happen in the next five weeks. Time for the Cubs to step it up.</p>
<p id="vRw04y">Lastly, don’t forget: The Cubs are currently working on a two-game road winning streak.</p>
<p id="jNDNVo">Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="SRrQXf">
<strong>YOU LOOK FAMILIAR:</strong> After this series, the Cubs will have 29 games remaining — 23 against N.L. Central teams, the most of any N.L. Central team within the division. Of those, 14 will be against the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> (three at home, four on the road) and <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> (four at home, three on the road). </li>
<li id="EG6q25">
<strong>CUB POWER:</strong> <span>Kyle Schwarber</span> on Sunday hit his 30th home run of the season to match his 2017 career high. Kyle is only the third lefthanded hitter in franchise history with multiple 30-homer campaigns, joining Billy Williams (five times) and <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> (four times). And, Kyle is now one of only four major league left-handed hitters with multiple 30 homer campaigns in the last three seasons. The others: <span>Cody Bellinger</span> (three times), <span>Christian Yelich</span> (twice) and <span>Max Muncy</span> (twice).</li>
<li id="TfbTpU">
<strong>THE NEW GUY:</strong> <span>Nicholas Castellanos</span> has hit safely in 19 of his first 23 games as a Cub, batting .375/.406/.708 (36-for-96) with eight doubles, eight homers and 14 RBI. His 16 extra-base hits this month are tied for the most in the N.L </li>
<li id="C4JK2J">
<strong>THE K STORY: </strong>In the Cubs’ last 48 games since June 29, the team’s pitchers have struck out 418 batters and walked 119. That’s an average of 3.51 strikeouts per walk, the fourth-best mark in the majors in that span behind the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> (4.34), <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> (4.05) and <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> (3.56). And, Cubs starting pitchers have posted a 4.85 strikeout to walk ratio since June 29, the top mark in the National League and second in the majors to the Rays (5.26). Cubs starters have struck out 267 batters in that span compared to just 55 walks. </li>
</ul>
<p id="9PM4ba">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="HAZTFQ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="gTvr5p">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> starting lineup.<br><br>Stream on <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSChicago?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSChicago</a>: <a href="https://t.co/rGCuW1XI7C">https://t.co/rGCuW1XI7C</a> <a href="https://t.co/DEeriibiu3">pic.twitter.com/DEeriibiu3</a></p>— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1166423189641203712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="6ZfO7W"><a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> lineup:</p>
<div id="X2iC8T">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">We clash with Chicago as things heat up at <a href="https://twitter.com/CitiField?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CitiField</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGM?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGM</a><br><br>⌚️ 7:10 p.m.<br> ️ <a href="https://t.co/g82SeSzyA6">https://t.co/g82SeSzyA6</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/MStrooo6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MStrooo6</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/SNYtv?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SNYtv</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/wcbs880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wcbs880</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNDep1050AM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNDep1050AM</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/s4YIMEUuAN">https://t.co/s4YIMEUuAN</a> <a href="https://t.co/ILxlikzqoY">pic.twitter.com/ILxlikzqoY</a></p>— New York Mets (@Mets) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1166429104377421824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<h2 id="V5jSYv">
<span>Yu Darvish</span>, RHP vs. <span>Marcus Stroman</span>, RHP</h2>
<div class="c-float-left"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_g6TilptV3Tnevw63F9H-4XH6KU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16020625/usa_today_12381470.jpg">
<cite>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="c-float-right"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kVWMyj6mPvJasGxFMjAgRQptb48=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19104727/stromanNYM.png">
<cite>Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports</cite>
</figure>
</div>
<p id="VjZhm8">The one thing Yu Darvish has had the most trouble with this year is the long ball. He’s allowed 30 home runs, most by any N.L. pitcher this year. Eight of those have left the yard this month in 23⅓ innings. Yikes.</p>
<p id="686YXj">Darvish is striking out a lot of hitters — 35 this month — and he has not walked anyone in his last 32 innings. So, that’s good! He just has to figure out a way to keep the ball in the yard.</p>
<p id="MRXUBp">Darvish allowed four hits and four runs in six innings against the Mets <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN201906210.shtml">June 21 at Wrigley Field</a>. Two of the hits were home runs (<span>Jeff McNeil</span>, <span>Michael Conforto</span>).</p>
<p id="NRPUql"><a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor/_/sort/HRFactor">Citi Field ranks 16th in home run factor this year</a>, a bit better home-run park than Wrigley Field. So, again, Yu: keep the ball in the yard.</p>
<p id="mvIMHZ">One more Darvish note: he enters this outing having struck out eight or more batters with no walks in each of his last five starts, the longest such streak by any major league pitcher since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893. (H/T: Elias)</p>
<p id="Pedvhq">When the Mets acquired Marcus Stroman July 28, they were five games under .500 and people were scratching their heads. This was a move made by a contender, not a struggling club like the Mets.</p>
<p id="WS1LTS">The Mets are 17-8 since the trade. It’s not Stroman’s doing, though; he has pitched markedly worse since becoming a Met, with a 4.58 ERA and 1.780 WHIP. He’s pitched past the fourth inning just twice in four Mets outings and left his last start with hamstring tightness.</p>
<p id="OlDsd8">He has faced the Cubs just once in his career, September 8, 2014 in Toronto. He threw a three-hit shutout. There’s just one Cub who played in that game who is still on the team, Javier Baez. <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2014/9/9/6125851/cubs-blue-jays-recap-marcus-stroman-logan-watkins-mlb-scores">Here’s my recap of that game</a>, which I attended. I provide that for amusement value.</p>
<p id="JQvDAv">Stroman has faced a few current Cubs. <span>Jonathan Lucroy</span> is 4-for-5 against him and <span>Nicholas Castellanos</span> has homered off him.</p>
<p id="DIbTfl">Today’s game is on NBC Sports Chicago. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mets market territories).</p>
<p id="cxuSIp"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2019/08/27">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="Xe5URc"><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2019_08_27_chnmlb_nynmlb_1">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="iDRiK8"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2019/NYN201908270.shtml">Baseball-reference.com game preview</a></p>
<p id="AScVZw"><span>SB Nation game preview</span></p>
<p id="c01E3n">Please visit our SB Nation <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a> site <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/">Amazin’ Avenue</a>. If you do go there to interact with Mets fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="4R9cxt">The 2019 Game Thread procedure will be the same as the one used in previous years. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p id="uNrOo7">You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page, two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).</p>
<p id="Jy7Er2">At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page. The First Pitch Thread and all the overflow threads will be published in that stream, as well as the recap. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post, and at the time I write the recap I will rename the stream “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of Week) Game Threads” so you can go back and find every thread related to that particular game.</p>
<p id="F5ehVY">You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread, all the overflow threads and recap in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in <a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads">this section link</a>). They will also appear in the game’s StoryStream as noted above.</p>
<p id="pjBR1E">The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at one hour, two hours and 2:45 after the scheduled game time.</p>
<p id="cWIBoH">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
<p id="twxuYR"></p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/8/27/20833075/chicago-cubs-new-york-mets-preview-tuesdayAl Yellon