Game Chat: Mets vs Cubs, 2:20 PM
Friday, April 16, 2026 • 2:20 PM
Wrigley Field • Chicago, IL
RHP Kodai Senga (0-2, 7.07) vs. RHP Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.62)
WPIX
It has been a bad week-and-a-half for the New York Mets. They enter play today last place in the NL East, five games out of first place with a 7-12 record and on an eight-game losing streak. The Mets desperately need to snap out of their funk. They are facing a Chicago Cubs team this weekend that is also in last place, but are 9-9 and only 1 1/2 games out of first in the NL Central. The Cubs are looking to extend their winning streak to three games this afternoon. Can the Mets let this losing streak blow away in the wind?
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Mets Lineup
- Carson Benge – RF
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Luis Robert Jr. – CF
- Francisco Alvarez – C
- MJ Melendez – DH
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Brett Baty – 1B
- Tyrone Taylor – LF
Starting Pitcher: Kodai Senga
Senga’s last start was one to forget. He allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings to the Athletics. This ballooned his season ERA from 3.09 to 7.07. Senga allowed a pair of home runs in that outing, the first two that he gave up this season. His FIP on the year, though, is a respectable 3.80.
Senga did not face the Cubs last season, but they have the following career numbers against him:
- Alex Bregman 1-3, 2B
- Michael Conforto 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K
- Ian Happ 2-6, 2 K
- Nico Hoerner 1-5, BB, 3 K
- Carson Kelly 0-3, 2 K
- Seiya Suzuki 1-2, BB
- Dansby Swanson 1-6, 2B, 2 K
Opposing Lineup
- Nico Hoerner – 2B
- Michael Busch – 1B
- Alex Bregman – 3B
- Ian Happ – LF
- Seiya Suzuki – RF
- Moisés Ballesteros – DH
- Carson Kelly – C
- Pete Crow-Armstrong – CF
- Dansby Swanson – SS
Edward Cabrera is off to a good start in 2026. Over three outings, he has tossed 16 2/3 innings with a 1.62 ERA, 3.22 FIP, 1.140 WHIP and a 231 ERA+. His last start, though, was quite average. He allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings while striking out four. Cabrera had two very different starts against the Mets last season while he was with the Miami Marlins. In Queens, he allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk over four innings, including three homers. His last start of the season was against the Mets in Miami, and he held them scoreless over five innings.
The Mets have the following career numbers against him:
- Francisco Alvarez 1-4, 2 K
- Brett Baty 2-2
- Francisco Lindor 3-18, HR, 6 BB, 4 K
- MJ Melendez 0-1, BB
- Tommy Pham 0-2, K
- Luis Robert Jr. 1-2, 2B, K
- Tyrone Taylor 2-7, 3 K
- Luis Torrens 0-2, K
- Mark Vientos 3-7, HR, BB, 2 K
Game Notes
- Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that in addition to his Achilles bursitis, Jorge Polanco is battling through right wrist soreness. Polanco, who has not appeared in the Mets’ lineup for each of their last two games, underwent an MRI in Chicago that the club is still waiting on the results from.
- Mendoza also stated that Juan Soto is getting in more live at-bats at Citi Field today and is doing high intensity running drills in addition to some outfield work as he works his way back from a calf injury he suffered on April 3 in San Francisco.
Three Things To Watch For
- MJ Melendez. Before Wednesday’s game, the Mets announced that Jared Young needs meniscus surgery and could be out for two months. Melendez was called up in his place and had a great first game, going 2-for-4 with two doubles. Melendez struggled in 23 games with the Kansas City Royals last season, slashing .083/.154/.167 with a -10 OPS+. He was doing alright in Syracuse before getting called up, however, going 11-for-51 with three doubles, a triple and a home run (.216/.286/.431). The Mets need any spark they can get right now!
- Please stop striking out. The Mets have had several games in a row now where they’ve barely been getting hits. On Wednesday, the Mets were struggling to get the bat on the ball; they had 14 strikeouts, including two from Lindor, Robert Jr., Baty, Melendez and Pham. Just a really bad night overall. Will the Mets change their approach at the plate this afternoon?
- An old friend. Michael Conforto burst on the scene for the 2015 Mets with a 130 OPS+. He also hit two home runs in Game 4 of the World Series that year. After a couple of solid years in San Francisco (100 OPS+ in 2023, 115 OPS+ in 2024), he is trying to rebound after a hard 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he hit .199/.305/.333 (81 OPS+) over 138 games. This season, he has played in 12 games and has come off the bench as a pinch hitter three games in a row. He is 6-for-22 with two doubles and six walks (.273/.429/.364, 136 OPS+). Here’s hoping he has a successful year – just not against the Mets.
Let’s go Mets!
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