MLB on Sling TV: Mets at Cubs on ESPN; Regional Action on Fox Sports Networks
(All times Eastern, starters subject to change)
New York Mets (Syndergaard 9-4, 2.56) at Chicago Cubs (Arrieta 12-4, 2.68)
7pm ET on ESPN
The increased workload finally caught up with All Star sophomore Noah Syndergaard, as the Norse God of Strikeouts pulled himself, citing fatigue, from his last start after going just 4 2/3 innings, having given up 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. His fastball that day was more than 3 MPH off his season high from May 31. Even worse than that start was his showing against the Nats two weeks earlier when he got tagged for 5 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in just 3 innings. He used the All Star break to get some rest, finally throwing long toss on Friday, afterward declaring, “My arm feels really good. It was just those four days of not throwing were pretty crucial, and I think it’s going to really benefit me.”
If you’re not a little worried about Jake Arrieta, you must not be a Cubs fan - or you don’t have him on your fantasy team. After a run dating back to last season, during which he went 29-3, Arrieta has lost 4 of his last 7 starts, the last 3 of which have been awful. Against the Reds, Mets and Pirates, he lasted just 16 ⅓ innings, gave up 15 runs on 21 hits (4 homers) and 8 walks, while striking out 14. At least his batting has improved during this downturn on the mound, as he’s hitting .375 with a homer and 2 runs scored over his last 3 games.
Watch the New York Mets vs. the Chicago Cubs at 7pm ET on ESPN by subscribing to Sling Orange..
Here’s the baseball available on FOX Sports Regional Networks across the land for Sling Blue subscribers:
Baltimore Orioles (Worley 2-0, 2.87) at New York Yankees (Eovaldi 7-6, 5.11) 7:05pm ET on YES
Miami Marlins (Urena 1-1, 7.52) at Philadelphia Phillies (Velazquez 8-2, 3.32) 7:05pm ET on FOX Sports Florida
Milwaukee Brewers (Guerra 6-2, 3.06) at Pittsburgh Pirates (Taillon 2-1, 3.86) 7:05pm ET on FOX Sports Wisconsin
Atlanta Braves (Jenkins 0-1, 4.50) at Cincinnati Reds (Reed 0-4, 8.39) 7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Cincinnati & FOX Sports Southeast
Minnesota Twins (Milone 2-2, 5.23) at Detroit Tigers (Sanchez 5-10, 6.75) 7:10pm ET on FOX Sports Detroit & FOX Sports North
Cleveland Indians (Salazar 10-3, 2.75) at Kansas City Royals (Young 2-8, 6.79) 8:15pm ET on FOX Sports Kansas City & SportsTime Ohio
San Diego Padres (Rea 5-3, 4.95) at St. Louis Cardinals (Martinez 8-6, 2.85) 8:15pm ET on FOX Sports Midwest & FOX Sports San Diego
Tampa Bay Rays (Snell 1-4, 3.69) at Colorado Rockies (Chatwood 8-5, 3.29) 8:40pm ET on Fox Sports Sun
Toronto Blue Jays (Sanchez 9-1, 2.97) at Arizona Diamondbacks (Godley 2-0, 5.28) 9:40pm ET on FOX Sports Arizona
Texas Rangers (Lohse 0-1, 10.80) at Los Angeles Angels (Lincecum 1-3, 6.85) 10:05pm ET on FOX Sports Southwest & FOX Sports West
Watch baseball on FOX and FOX Sports Regional Networks by subscribing to the Sling Blue.
All stats courtesy ESPN and Baseball Reference.