It’s a first place clash this weekend at Citi Field!
The first place Chicago Cubs (22-16) head into town to face off against the first place New York Mets (24-14). The Chicago Cubs have gotten to this point with their power (3rd in the league with 55 home runs and in OPS at .781). The Mets are being lead by their pitching (1st in the league with a 2.89 team ERA). It’s a classic pitching vs hitting narrative this weekend in Queens!
Clay Holmes has a 2.95 ERA, 2.21 FIP, 1.282 WHIP and a 132 ERA+ over 36 2/3 innings (seven starts) this season. He’s coming off of an average start against the Cardinals where he allowed three runs from eight hits over six innings. Notably, it was only the second time this season that he finished the sixth inning and it was the second time he’s done it in his last three starts. He may be turning a corner, consistently going deeper into games. Holmes faced the Cubs once in relief in 2024, holding them scoreless in one inning while striking out two batters. The Cubs have the following numbers against Holmes:
- Miguel Amaya 0-1, K
- Jon Berti 1-3, K
- Vidal Brujan 0-4, K
- Ian Happ 1-6, 2K
- Nico Hoerner 1-3, HR
- Carson Kelly 1-2, K
- Nicky Lopez 0-3
- Seiya Suzuki 0-1, K
- Dansby Swanson 0-5, 3 K
- Kyle Tucker1-5
- Justin Turner 3-7, 2B, HR, BB
It’s a battle of former Yankees tonight with Jameson Taillon on the mound. Over 39 2/3 innings (seven starts), Taillon has a 3.86 ERA, 4.11 FIP, 1.034 WHIP and a 104 ERA+. Over his last three starts he has allowed only four runs from 11 hits and three walks over 18 innings (2.00 ERA, 2.88 FIP). Taillon was extremely efficient against the Mets in 2024, allowing only two runs from 10 hits over 14 1/3 innings while striking out 11 batters. Both of the Mets runs came on solo shots. The Mets have the following career numbers against Taillon:
- Pete Alonso 2-9, HR
- Francisco Alvarez 2-3, 2B, HR, K
- Francisco Lindor 2-13, 4 K
- Starling Marte 0-3, K
- Jeff McNeil 2-9, K
- Brandon Nimmo 2-8, HR, BB, K
- Juan Soto 1-11, 5 K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-10, 2B, 4 K
- Luis Torrens 0-3, 2 K
- Mark Vientos 0-5, K
Three Things To Watch For:
- Juan Soto Szn. In seven games in May, Juan Soto has gone 9-for-26 at the plate with two doubles and four home runs while scoring eight runs (.346/.455/.885). Two-thirds of his hits have been for extra bases! He has a 1.6 bWAR, which is second for position players on the Mets (behind Pete Alonso’s 2.0 and ahead of Lindor’s 1.0). His 148 OPS+ is also second the team.
- The battle of barrels. The Cubs are 8th in the league in barreling the ball (9.7%, just ahead of the Mets who are at 9.4%). Clay Holmes is in the 89th percentile, with opponents barreling the ball only 3.9% of the time.
- Papal Conversation. The Cubs tried to claimed that Pope Leo XIV is a Cubs fan (there is a picture floating around with Cubs hat in his hand). His brother did an interview Thursday afternoon where he said the Pope roots for the White Sox. The real question is, does SNY make a Pope graphic tonight?
Let’s Go Mets!
