Mets' Syndergaard set to face White Sox ahead of deadline
Frequently involved in trade rumors as Wednesday's major league baseball non-waiver trade deadline looms, the New York Mets also are displaying some consistency on the field lately, too. A weekend sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates stretched the Mets' winning streak to four games as they prepare to open an interleague road series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Whatever happens with potential personnel moves, New York is optimistic about changing its fortunes going forward. "The bullpen is performing, we're scoring some runs consistently, our starters have been outstanding," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "That's the recipe for wins, and we've been doing that. We've got to continue to do it. No matter what decisions are made, we've got to continue to plug along and play our best baseball and win as many games as we can." Chicago is heading in the opposite direction. After losing three of four games to the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins over the weekend, the White Sox have started 2-5 on their season-long, 10-game homestand. Sunday's 11-1 defeat seemingly was decided from the outset. The Twins reached White Sox right-hander Dylan Covey for separate two- and three-run home runs before Covey exited the game in the first inning without retiring a batter. Rookie outfielder Eloy Jimenez returned to the lineup after missing nearly two weeks with an elbow injury, offering a possible bright spot for a depleted, struggling lineup. The White Sox have lost 13 of 17 since the All-Star break while being outscored 93-51. "Obviously getting (Jimenez) back in, first and foremost, is a sign that he's healthy," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "Secondly, obviously he's been down a couple weeks, so he might not be as sharp as we want him to be, but he was going to have to get some at-bats someplace. I'd rather them be here." The White Sox are set to face Mets righty Noah Syndergaard, one of the club's top rumored trade pieces. Syndergaard (7-5, 4.33 ERA) hasn't faced Chicago this season and boasts only brief career experience against the White Sox, striking out two batters in one scoreless inning of relief. Syndergaard has addressed speculation about his future openly via social media, recently updating his Twitter bio to reflect that he is a "Pitcher for the New York Mets, for now," while adding that "Mrs. Met would hate to see me traded." Mets right fielder Michael Conforto addressed the atmosphere around the team after Sunday's win against the Pirates. "We can't change the season overnight," Conforto said. "Things will start to turn if we keep playing the way we've been playing. I don't know what's going to happen here in a couple days, but it's not something we can really focus on. It's not something we can control. We're just going to focus on baseball, keep playing, and hopefully we get to keep most of the guys in here." Reynaldo Lopez is slated to start for Chicago. After enduring a rough first half, Lopez (5-9, 5.52 ERA) has compiled a 1.71 ERA in three starts after the All-Star break, working at least six innings in each. Lopez is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two career appearances against the Mets, including one start. He hasn't faced New York this season. --Field Level Media |