Cubs vs. Mets: Who has the edge?
Chicago Tribune
by Mark Gonzales
59 mins ago
Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon and his wife Jaye take a selfie after the Cubs defeated the New York Mets to win their National League Division Series on Oct. 13, 2015, in Chicago.
Significant others Jeurys Familia of the New York Mets celebrates after the Mets 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 15 in Los Angeles.
2015 MLB playoffs
Starting pitching
It lines up well for the Cubs to have left-hander Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta starting the first two games of the National League Championship Series on Saturday and Sunday. Though he was charged with the Cubs' only loss in their last 13 games, Lester has a 2.35 ERA over his last two starts and he struck out nine Friday in his loss to the Cardinals. An extra day of rest won't hurt Arrieta. Potential Game 3 starter Kyle Hendricks has a 3.38 ERA at Wrigley Field, compared to a 4.47 road ERA. Whoever starts Game 4 - Jason Hammel or Dan Haren - won't be asked to pitch deep.
Mets starter Jacob deGrom won't be ready to start until Game 3, at the earliest. Nevertheless, the Mets' rotation is the deepest of the four remaining teams in the playoffs. The Mets will gladly accept five quality innings from Matt Harvey after his innings controversy. The Cubs should be prepared for Noah Syndergaard after they reached him for three runs on six hits in beating him in his major-league debut on May 12.
Edge: Mets
Poster Comment:
Could this be a redux of 1969?