New York @ Chicago preview
Guaranteed Rate Field
Last Meeting ( May 8, 2013 ) Chi. White Sox 6, NY Mets 3
The New York Mets will look to make it three straight series wins when they begin a brief two-game interleague road set against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. New York took three of five from the Braves in Atlanta before marching into Philadelphia and winning two of three over the weekend. The Mets have been clicking offensively of late, scoring four or more runs in six of their last seven games and a total of 15 over their last two contests.
Chicago was on the verge of sweeping its three game series at Kansas City before the Royals rallied for three runs in the eighth inning on Sunday for a 7-6 triumph. The White Sox outscored the Royals 12-3 in their two victories, which followed a stretch during which the club dropped seven of eight contests. Chicago, which is beginning a nine-game homestand, has won three of its last four at U.S. Cellular Field.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), WCIU (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. White Sox LH Chris Sale (5-6, 2.69)
Wheeler was superb in his major-league debut in Atlanta on June 18, when he held the National League East-leading Braves to four hits while walking five and striking out seven in six scoreless innings. The 23-year-old phenom became the third pitcher in club history to keep his opponent off the scoreboard for at least six frames in his inaugural start and first since Mosato Yoshii on April 5, 1998. Wheeler has made 13 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas this season, going 4-2 with a 3.93 ERA.
Sale is looking to snap his four-start losing streak and post his first victory since tossing a combined 16 2/3 scoreless innings in back-to-back triumphs over the Los Angeles Angels on May 12 and 17. The 24-year-old ace followed a tough-luck loss at Houston in which he struck out a season-high 14 while yielding two unearned runs in eight frames by surrendering four runs in five innings at Minnesota on Wednesday. Sale, who will be facing the Mets for the first time, is 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA in five home starts this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York is visiting the White Sox for just the second time. The Mets lost two of three in June 2002.
2. Chicago DH Adam Dunn reached the 20-homer mark for the 11th time in his career on Sunday and tied Billy Williams for 46th place on the all-time list with his 426th career blast.
3. White Sox RHP Jesse Crain had his streak of 29 straight scoreless appearances snapped Sunday, when he surrendered three unearned runs.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, White Sox 1