The last time that a team managed to comeback from a 0-3 series deficit were the 2004 Boston Red Sox. The Chicago Cubs will keep reminding themselves of that as they try to make history by becoming the second one to accomplish the same feat. Now, they’ll need to take things one step at a time, the first one being a must-win Game 4 showdown against the New York Mets this evening. Can they stay alive?
Read on below for a complete breakdown of this critical matchup. And for other sports action, check out our Thursday night football preview between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. Enjoy.
[sc:MLBArticles ]New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs Preview
Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
When: Wednesday, October 21, 8:07 PM ET
Line: New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs—View all MLB Lines
Betting on the New York Mets
One more win and it’s off to the World Series for the New York Mets, who have won the first three meetings of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. Now, they’ll be putting their trust on Steven Matz (4-0, 2.27 ERA) to lead them on the mound for tonight’s crucial Game 4 showdown at Wrigley Field.
[sc:MLB240banner ]The theme for Matz later is going to be redemption. The 24-year-old rookie is coming off a disappointing postseason debut against the Dodgers on October 13, during which he surrendered three runs on six hits across five frames for the tough 3-1 setback. But it’s worth noting, though, Matz has pitched pretty efficiently on road games, holding a 2-0 win-loss record with a quality 2.45 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through four starts in the regular season. Chicago only lost one game in that stretch.
This game also marks Matz’s first ever start opposite the Cubs. That being the case, he’ll definitely need some major offensive contributions from his teammates. Expect none other than the pair of Daniel Murphy and Curtis Granderson to lead the charge at the plate.
Murphy is most probably holding the hottest bat right now among all active players, going 12-for-33 with six homers and nine RBIs so far in this year’s playoffs. Granderson, meanwhile, is only 3-for-17 in the past five outings but is 7-for-12 lifetime with two homers off the Cubs’ starter in Jason Hammel.
New York has won 11 of its last 15 road games.
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Betting on the Chicago Cubs
After shaking the entire nation by finally making it to the playoffs for the first time in seven years, the Chicago Cubs are now on the brink of being swept by the New York Mets in the NLCS. They’ll look to avoid suffering such an embarrassing exit and hopefully keep their Word Series’ hopes alive when they send Jason Hammel, who is 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA in the regular season, on the mound in the must-win Game 4.
Thing aren’t looking bright with Hammel toeing the rubber. He’s been awful in the postseason, owning a 5-4 mark with a high 5.00 ERA in over five career games (four starts). Then during the 33-year-old righty’s previous start in Game 4 of the NLDS versus the Cardinals, he was quickly yanked out after yielding two earned runs on three hits across three innings of work. Chicago still won that game, fortunately.
But one reason to be optimistic about Hammel, though, is the fact that he’s pitched considerably better at Wrigley Field in the regular season. He is 3-3 with a 3.99 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a .250 opponents’ batting average throughout 16 starts.
As for the offense, the Cubs are going to lean on left fielder in Kyle Schwarber, who is currently their most lethal threat in the postseason. He owns a team-best 375 batting average with five homers and seven RBIs under his belt.
Meanwhile, the likes of Anthony Rizzo cannot be forgotten. Rizzo is struggling right now, going 5-for-24 in the previous seven games but holds a solid triple-slash line of .300/.406/.556 throughout his career against the Mets.
Chicago is 5-5 in Hammel’s past 10 starts.
Writer’s Prediction:
The Cubs win, 4-2, and live to fight another day.
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