The New York Mets (25-24) and Chicago Cubs (21-26) will play the 2nd game of their 3-game series on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. First pitch will be at 7:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Mets vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Cubs lead 1-0 after beating the Mets, 7-2 on Tuesday
After going 3-10 during a recent 13-game stretch, the Mets have gotten back on track a bit. They’re 5-1 in their last 6 games, with their 5-game winning streak being snapped by the Cubs on Tuesday. The pitching staff has been a major disappointment this season, ranking 24th in team ERA (4.70), while the offense has only scored 209 runs – tied for 18th.
In the Cubs’ last 25 games, they’ve only won 8 times, a stretch that has pulled them 5 games below .500 on the year. Statistically, they’re an above-average team, scoring the 12th-most runs (227) and ranking 13th in team ERA (4.12) with the 6th-most quality starts (23).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
New York Mets at Chicago Cubs projected starters
RHP Kodai Senga vs. RHP Marcus Stroman
Senga (4-2, 3.77 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.44 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9 and 11.5 K/9 in 43 innings.
- Allowed just 1 ER in 6 IP in his last start May 17 against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out a career-high 12 batters
- In the month of May, he has an ERA of just 3.18 with 23 strikeouts in 17 innings
Stroman (3-4, 3.05 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 56 innings.
- The Cubs are just 1-5 in his last 6 starts, though they did win his most recent outing, 10-1 over the Philadelphia Phillies last week
- Averaging a career-best 8.2 strikeouts per 9 innings this season
Mets at Cubs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Mets -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Cubs -115 (bet $115 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Mets -1.5 (+170) | Cubs +1.5 (-210)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Mets at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Mets 5, Cubs 4
Moneyline
Despite their win on Tuesday, the Cubs are in a rut right now. The pitching staff has allowed at least 6 runs in 6 of their last 9 games, which is a big reason for their 2-7 record in that span.
With Senga coming off a dominant performance against the Rays a week ago, I like the Mets’ chances to bounce back on the road. BET METS (-105) to win outright at Wrigley.
Run line/Against the spread
The Mets have won 5 of their last 6 games, but none of those have been won comfortably. Each of those 5 wins came by exactly 1 run, and only 1 of their last 9 victories have been by more than 1 run.
Though I favor the Mets in this matchup, I don’t like them enough to bet them -1.5 on the run line, and taking the Cubs +1.5 at -210 isn’t worth the risk. PASS on the run line.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
The 9 total pushed Tuesday and the Over/Under is significantly lower Wednesday, lower than any of the Mets’ and Cubs’ last 10 games this season.
Stroman has allowed at least 5 runs in 2 of his last 6 starts and Senga has had 3 outings with at least 4 runs allowed in his last 6, so they’re susceptible to poor outings. BET OVER 6.5 (-120).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow @camdasilva on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]