Cubs Scrambling to Even NLCS with Mets
Something rare is about to happen: either the New York Mets or the Chicago Cubs will win the NL pennant. At this point, it looks like the Mets will be playing in the World Series for the first time since 2000. They’ll take a 2-0 series lead into Tuesday’s Game 3 at Wrigley Field, before playing Game 4 on Wednesday (8:07 PM ET, TBS). Rookie southpaw Steven Matz (3.61 FIP) could be the man who pitches New York into the World Series. The Long Island native has only started six games this season, but he finished with a 4-0 record and a 2.27 ERA. Matz pitched five innings after starting Game 4 of the NLDS, but lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-1 as a +135 home dog. Jason Hammel (3.68 FIP) is penciled in to start for the Cubs. Hammel has regained some of his form since returning to Chicago during the offseason; however, the Cubs only went 15-16 during Hammel’s 31 regular-season starts, dropping 4.31 betting units along the way. Chicago did win Hammel’s one playoff start, beating the St. Louis Cardinals (+102 away) 6-4 to take down their NLDS. Hammel pitched just three-plus innings before getting pulled from that game.