Mets at Cubs
The New York Mets are experiencing difficulties on the road, and that doesn't create much optimism entering a four-game series against the host Chicago Cubs that begins on Thursday. New York's 7-2 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday was its 13th setback in 17 road contests and dropped it to 15-25 away from home this season.
The Cubs are fresh off Wednesday's 7-3 home win over the Chicago White Sox as Willson Contreras belted two homers and drove in five runs to raise his season blast total to 15. "The only thing I can control at the plate is having a good at-bat," Contreras told reporters after the win. "I'm having a lot of good at-bats this year, I would say more than last year. That's the key to why I'm having a good season so far." The Mets lost two of three in Atlanta, but Amed Rosario played well as he went 5-for-12 with two RBIs, two doubles and two stolen bases. Jeff McNeil has gone 5-for-9 with a homer over his last two games and has recorded five multi-hit performances in his last nine contests.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Walker Lockett (2018: 0-3, 9.60 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (3-1, 3.60)
Lockett will be making his debut for New York after missing the first six weeks of the season with an arm injury before going 1-1 with a 3.69 ERA in six appearances (five starts) across two minor-league levels. The 25-year-old made four appearances (three starts) for San Diego last season and was roughed up for 16 runs and 22 hits in 15 innings, but Mets manager Mickey Callaway is glad Lockett has some previous experience. "The good part is, he's pitched in the major leagues before," Callaway told reporters. "He's not going to be making his debut. And you know what? When that's who you call up, you've got to get the job done, no matter what the circumstances are. It's never easy. We always understand that."
Chatwood is filling the rotation spot of the injured Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) as he makes his second start of the season. The 29-year-old Chatwood was superb in his first outing as he allowed two hits over six scoreless innings on April 21 in a no-decision against Cleveland. He has gone 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA in eight career starts against the Mets and has struggled to retire Robinson Cano (3-for-6).
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs OF Albert Almora Jr. recorded two hits on Wednesday and is 5-for-9 over his last three games.
2. New York rookie 1B Pete Alonso was hitless in three at-bats on Wednesday after going 12-for-26 with three homers and 11 RBIs over his previous seven contests.
3. Chicago INF Dave Bote homered on Wednesday for just his fourth RBI in 13 games following a career-best seven-RBI performance against Colorado on June 5.