The New York Mets will continue their three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at Wrigley Field. We're here to share our MLB odds series, make a Mets-Cubs prediction, and pick while showing you how to watch.
Mets-Cubs Projected Starters
Tylor Megill vs. James Taillon
Tylor Megill (2-3) with a 3.52 ERA
Last Start: Megill went five innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two wins in a win over the Cubs.
2024 Road Splits: Megill has done worse on the road, going 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA away from Citi Field.
James Taillon (3-3) with a 3.08 ERA
Last Start: Taillon went six innings in his last outing, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking two.
2024 Home Splits: Taillon has done slightly worse at Wrigley Field, going 3-2 with a 3.34 ERA in six starts at home.
Here are the MLBOdds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Mets-Cubs Odds
New York Mets: -1.5 (+142)
Moneyline: +102
Chicago Cubs: +1.5 (-172)
Moneyline: -120
Over: 11.5 (-122)
Under: 11.5 (+100)
How to Watch Mets vs. Cubs
Time: 2:20 PM ET/11:20 AM PT
TV: Sportsnet New York
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Mets Will Cover The Spread/Win
Note: All Stats are prior to Friday's game
The Mets have floundered this season. Yet, they have found ways to stay in the NL wildcard race. They entered the weekend just one game behind the final wildcard spot. Hitting has been one key aspect for the Mets and it has helped them stay in most games this season, even against a tough division.
The Mets are 13th in batting average and slugging percentage, 11th in on-base percentage, and 12th in runs. Additionally, the Mets are ninth in home runs. New York has done well at the plate at times. Overall, they have helped carry this team to respectability.
Pete Alonso came into the weekend batting .243 with 16 home runs, 42 RBIs, and 42 runs. Ultimately, this puts him on pace for 35 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 90 runs if he can keep it up. Francisco Lindor has struggled often. Yet, he is still hitting .238 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 46 runs. Starling Marte has been consistent. So far, he is batting .279 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs, and 36 runs. J.D. Martinez has done well with his new team. Ultimately, he is hitting .282 with eight home runs, 27 RBIs, and 19 runs.
The Mets are not pitching that well. So far, they are 20th in team ERA. But the Mets have had better performances from their bullpen. Significantly, their relievers rank 12th in team ERA.
The Mets will cover the spread if Alonso, Lindor, Marte, and Martinez can all rake at the plate. Then, they need Megill to be consistent on the mound and avoid making mistakes.
Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win
Note: All Stats are prior to Friday's game
The Cubs have struggled often this season. However, similar to the Cubs, they are still in the NL wildcard race as they came into the weekend trailing the final wildcard spot by just one game. But hitting has not been the key indicator of any success for them.
The Cubs are 24th in batting average, 14th in on-base percentage, and 17th in runs. Furthermore, they are also 19th in home runs and 21st in slugging percentage. They have talented players in this lineup. However, something or another has gone wrong this season.
Nico ho*rner has battled injuries this season. Therefore, he is batting .243 with two home runs, 18 RBIs, and 34 runs. Dansby Swanson has not raked as much as he would like to. Currently, he is hitting .214 with eight home runs, 24 RBIs, and 30 runs. Cody Bellinger has continued to be consistent. So far, he is batting .263 with nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and 29 runs. Ian Happ has been solid but can do more. Ultimately, he is hitting .238 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs, and 37 runs.
The Cubs are hot and cold on the mound. Currently, they rank 13th in team ERA. But their relievers have not been that great. So far, they are 25th in team ERA.
Final Mets-Cubs Prediction & Pick
The Mets and Cubs split the four-game series in their earlier encounter this season at Citi Field. Now, the series shifts to Wrigley. The Mets came into the weekend with a 17-15 mark on the road, while the Cubs were 21-16 at home.
The Mets are 18-13 against the spread on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Cubs are just 13-24 against the spread at home. The Mets are 22-17 against the spread when they have been the underdog. Conversely, the Cubs are just 8-25 against the spread as the favorite. Because of these factors, we believe this will be a close affair. Take the Mets to cover the spread on the road and keep this close.
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Final Mets-Cubs Prediction & Pick: New York Mets -1.5 (+142)
