In a rematch of the NLDS that saw the Cubs swept by the Mets, veteran John Lackey (7-4, 3.29) will take the mound against one of the Mets young guns, Steven Matz (7-3, 3.29).
Matz was dinged up in his last start vs the Braves and has seen his ERA climb from 2.28 to 3.29 in his last five games. The young lefty has been solid through the first 19 starts of his career but he will be in tough tonight if the laboring Mets offense doesn’t give him some run support.
Lackey was also given the gears his last time up. He gave up seven runs and lasted just four and a third vs the Marlins. Before that, the 37-year-old Lackey was chugging along nicely and put together ten straight quality starts.
This will be the first-place Cubs’ first chance to avenge their NLDS loss so expect the likes of Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo to be swinging the bats freely as they go for their fourth straight win.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the New York Mets as -101 underdogs on the moneyline for this contest. The over under was hovering near 7.5 for betting fans hoping to turn a profit on totals at Sportsbook.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 6.2-2.6 win for the Cubs. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The New York Mets sport a record of 40-37 heading into this matchup, while the Chicago Cubs sit at 51-26 on the season Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and New York vs Chicago injuries news.
The MLB Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the New York Mets rated this week at No. 18 and the Chicago Cubs sitting at No. 10.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits New York Mets No. 28-rated offense, averaging 3.58 runs per game, against a Chicago Cubs defense that ranks No. 1 at 3.14 in runs allowed per game. The New York Mets have averaged 7.73 hits per game so far, less than Chicago Cubs batters have averaged on the year (8.64 hits per game).
Comparing defensive stats, Chicago owns the No. 1-rated road mark, allowing 3.32 runs per game on the highway. New York, on the other hand, rates No. 28 in scoring at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Chicago rolled to a 9-2 win against Cincinnati on Wednesday, as K Hendricks and the Cubs' bats led the team to victory at Great American Ball Park.
M Scherzer fanned 10 New York batters in the team's last outing, leading the Nationals to a 4-2 victory over the Mets at Nationals Park.
Next Betting Matchups
Chicago at New York, Friday, July 1st