Chicago @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( May 30, 2016 ) Chi. White Sox 0, NY Mets 1
A masterful pitching performance gave the New York Mets a win in the opener of their three-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox. The Mets hope for more of the same Tuesday when they send Steven Matz to the mound in search of his eighth straight win.
Matz has given the Mets plenty of outstanding starts, and he’ll look to do so again on the heels of Matt Harvey’s gem in a 1-0 win in the series opener. The Mets snapped a two-game skid Monday but have won seven of their last 10. The White Sox have lost seven straight and four of the last five have been one-run defeats. Fifteen of Chicago’s last 18 games have been decided by two runs or fewer.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Mat Latos (6-1, 4.06 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (7-1, 2.36)
After rolling through his first four starts of the season, Latos has struggled. The 28-year-old turned the corner a bit last time out, holding Cleveland to three runs and five hits over six innings for his first quality start since April 24. Latos is 2-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 10 career starts against the Mets.
Matz, who turned 25 on Sunday, was tagged for seven runs in 1 2/3 innings in his season debut, but he has been dominant in seven starts since. His last outing might have been the best of the bunch, as he struck out seven and allowed four hits over eight scoreless innings at Washington for his seventh straight win. Matz has been outstanding in two previous interleague starts, allowing one run over 13 innings in a pair of wins.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 3B David Wright has missed three straight games with a herniated disk but is hopeful of avoiding the disabled list.
2. Chicago’s Nos. 2-4 hitters – Jose Abreu, Melky Cabrera and Todd Frazier – are a combined 4-for-45 during the team’s current road trip.
3. Mets RHP Jeurys Familia has converted a franchise-record 33 consecutive save opportunities, including 17 this season.
PREDICTION: Mets 5, White Sox 2