Cubs 1 Mets 0 (Citi Field, Flushing, NY)
Mets record: 15-15
Mets streak: Lost 1
WP - Shota Imanaga (5-0)
LP - Jose Butto (0-2)
SV - Hector Neris (5)
Seat on the Korner: Shota Imanaga
We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.
Shota Imanaga's reign continues for the Cubbies, going 7 innings allowing only 3 hits and striking out 7. His ERA drops to a whopping 0.78, continuing his reign as the lowest ERA in the MLB.
Need to Know
It is safe to say, despite him getting the loss, that Jose Butto has been stellar for the Mets. Tonight, Butto went 6 innings, only allowing 4 hits and striking out 6. Butto is a stellar asset, so all the Mets need to do is generate some run support when he is on the mound.
A close call at home plate was the deciding factor of this game. Jeff McNeil hit a sac fly into deep left to which Pete Alonso tagged. He initially was ruled out, but Alonso immediately ruled for a challenge. During the challenge, they were looking at whether catcher Miguel Amaya was blocking the plate, but they were also looking at whether Alonso lifted his hand above the plate before he was tagged. All in all, he was ruled out.
Sean Reid-Foley continues to be a reliable arm for the Mets. Tonight he appeared in the top of the 9th, and struck out the side. Keeping up his 0.00 ERA in 5 appearances.
Francisco Lindor left the game after two innings due to "flu-like symptoms", according to Carlos Mendoza, this is only a sickness rather than an injury.
Turning Point
The turning point of the game occurred in the top of the 5th where Pete Crow-Armstrong drove in the game's only run on a sac fly to Starling Marte. Matt Mervis came to score on that play.
Three Keys
Help Wanted
With Jose Butto having another good start, one of the main problems for the Mets continues to be their lack of run support. The Mets have left 15.62 on base this season, one of the highest in the league.
Now I'm a Reliever (Bad Monkees Reference)
The Mets' bullpen continues to be one of the hottest in the league, leading the MLB in strikeouts as of today with 141. They also have a 2.85 ERA coming into today which is 6th in the majors.
Sean Reid-Foley
Sean Reid-Foley has continued to be one of the best relievers for the Mets this season, posting a 0.00 ERA on the season in 5 appearances. He also has 9 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.60.