Saturday, August 16, 2014 2014

Citi Field in Queens

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On Saturday, Jake Arrieta (6-4) will try to snap his two-game losing streak when he and the Chicago Cubs go up against Jonathon Niese (6-8) and the New York Mets.

Jake Arrieta had a pretty good start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, but he ended up taking the loss after getting just one run from his offense. He pitched 7.1 innings in that game and allowed just two runs on five base hits while walking one and striking out four. Arrieta has struck out 113 batters in 110.1 innings this season and now has a very good 2.77 ERA.

Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson has nine hits in 22 at-bats against Arrieta in his career with a double, a triple and three home runs. Third baseman David Wright is 0-for-4 against the right-hander with two walks and two strikeouts.

Jonathon Niese pitched seven strong innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in his last start and came away with the win. He allowed just two runs on five base hits that day while walking three and striking out six. He now has a 3.46 ERA and he has only given up 12 home runs in 135.1 innings on the mound this year.

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has five hits in his 16 at-bats versus Niese with a triple, a home run and five RBI. Justin Ruggiano is just 2-for-14 against him with no walks and three strikeouts.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 59-53-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.4

New York Mets Betting Trends

New York Mets are 53-54-14 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York Mets is 0

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
07/31/14 P Felix Doubront Calf 15-day DL (7/31)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

New York Mets

08/14/14 P Jacob deGrom Shoulder 15-day DL (8/8)
07/26/14 P Daisuke Matsuzaka Elbow 15-day DL (7/24)
04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow 15-day DL (4/1), out for season
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take New York

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