The New York Mets (25-25) and Chicago Cubs (22-26) play the finale of a 3-game set at Wrigley Field Thursday. First pitch is at 7:40 p.m. ET (MLB Network). 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 2-0
The Mets have dropped the 1st 2 of the series 7-2 and 4-2. Coming into this series, they had won 5 in a row in what has been an up-and-down first 50 games. The Mets are 5 1/2 games out in the NL East after a 12-18 slide in the last 30 games.
The Cubs haven’t exactly been tearing it up either, at 3-7 over the last 10. They are just 11-19 in the last 30 games, but sit just 4 1/2 games back in the NL Central. Chicago is 13-11 at Wrigley. The Cubbies welcome veteran RHP Kyle Hendricks back for his season debut after dealing with a strained shoulder.
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Mets at Cubs projected starters
RHP Carlos Carrasco vs. RHP Kyle Hendricks
Carrasco (0-2, 8.68 ERA) makes his 5th start. He has a 1.55 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9 and 5.3 K/9 in 18 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 3 K, against the Guardians Friday
- 3 career GS vs. Cubs: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 18 K in 16 1/3 IP
Hendricks (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his 1st start. He went 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 84 1/3 IP last year.
- Went 2-3 with a 4.91 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 9 starts at home last season
- Last 5 starts vs. Mets dating back to 2014: 4-0, 2.10 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 26 K in 30 IP
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 12:05 p.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 (+165) | Cubs +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Mets at Cubs picks and predictions
Prediction
Mets 4, Cubs 3
Moneyline
The Mets are 9-24 in the last 33 meetings with the Cubs and 20-43 in the last 63 in Chicago. Wow. The Cubs have won 6 straight against the Mets. However, streaks are meant to be broken. The Mets are too talented and avoid a sweep.
Take the METS -105.
Run line/Against the spread
Each of the last 5 meetings, and 8 of the last 10, have been decided by 2 runs or more. However, we’re taking a little bit of a risk with the Mets’ ML. So we’re going to PASS here.
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Over/Under
The wind is blowing in ay 16 mph on a 54-degree day. The Under is 3-1-1 in the last 5 games between the teams. The wild card is Hendricks making his 1st start, and Carrasco has struggled all year. The wind blowing in at Wrigley tips the hand, though. LEAN UNDER 8 (-105).
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