New York @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2012 ) NY Mets 1, Chi. Cubs 6

The New York Mets did not get into Chicago until 5 a.m. on Monday after dropping a tough game Sunday night to the cross-town rival Yankees. That fatigue showed up on Monday against the Cubs. The worst team in the majors this season, Chicago looked like the professionals on Monday as the Mets committed a series of errors and watched their losing streak hit three games. The Cubs are looking for a rare series win on Tuesday.

New York is chasing the Washington Nationals in the National League East and thought it was taking a step down in competition after a weekend against the Yankees. Unfortunately, the Mets wasted a solid start by Johan Santana and failed to take advantage of the rest of their slumping division rivals. Chicago is getting a look at a piece of its future on Tuesday, when top prospect Anthony Rizzo is scheduled to make his season debut at first base.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), WCIU (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Dillon Gee (5-5, 4.27 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Randy Wells (1-2, 4.91 ERA)

Gee is coming off one of his best starts of the season, when he allowed two runs on just three hits in 7 1/3 innings and struck out nine to beat Baltimore. The 26-year old has posted a quality start in each of his last seven turns. Gee has only faced the Cubs once in his career, allowing four runs in six innings to earn a win.

Wells has done most of his work in relief this season but will make his second straight start on Tuesday. The veteran was lit up for three runs and five hits while issuing four walks in 3 2/3 innings to suffer a loss last week. Wells has made four career starts against the Mets, going 0-1 with a 2.92 ERA.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Former Cub Marlon Byrd, who was traded to the Boston Red Sox earlier in the season, was suspended 50 games for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy.

2. Rizzo was pulled from his game at Triple-A Iowa in the fourth inning on Monday and told he was headed to Chicago. He was batting .342 and leading the Pacific Coast League with 23 home runs.

3. Left-hander Justin Hampson made his debut for the Mets on Monday and tossed a scoreless inning of relief.