The Mets send Adrian Houser to the mound today, a pitcher who hasn't struck out more batters than he's walked in any of his five starts this season. That's a problem against a Cubs lineup that ranks top 10 in walks per game. While the Cubs offense has largely been stymied in this series, I think that changes in this matchup. On the other side, Ben Brown has a strong 22:6 K:BB ratio this year and he's up against a Mets team that averages 4.27 runs per game but has scored four or fewer in nine of its last 10.

As I write this the Mets are 6 outs from losing for the 7th time in the last 10 games and on the cusp of being shutout for a second time in that span. Through their last 9 and 7/9th innings they have scored all of 26 runs. They are also running out their worst starter, knowing they will be lucky to get 12 outs from him. Adrian Houser has allowed 14 ER in his last 2 outings (8 1/3 IP). The kid on the mound for the Cubbies has been plenty serviceable. Cubs playing sound ball lately