Mets Host Cubs in Big Apple Showdown
On Monday, National League action in Major League Baseball heads to the Big Apple when the Chicago Cubs visit the New York Mets. The current line has New York favored at -130, Chicago on +120 and the over/under run total on 8.
Entering the game Chicago is 31-31 overall and 11-16 on the road, The Cubs are 6-4 in their past 10 games played. New York is 28-33 overall and 14-19 at home. The Mets are 5-5 in their last 10 games played.
The Cubs are winless on the road in the past month and start on road trip of six games Monday with the first three against the Mets. Chicago has lost eight consecutive road games and has not won a road series since April 24-26, when they won two out of three at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On Sunday, Chicago ended its skid of four straight losses with a win over Colorado of 7-5 with the help of four homers.
The Cubs on the road however, have scored just 12 runs over their eight straight losses. Adding to that is the pitching staff for the Mets has dominated lately allowing one run during each of the past three games.
New York lost the opening game of a four-game set with Atlanta, but then won three straight over the Braves and are now alone in second place in the NL East.
Chicago will send John Lackey to the mound on Monday. The Cubs right-hander is 4-6 with an ERA of 5.12. New York will counter with Jacob deGrom. The Mets right-hander is 4-3 with an ERA of 4.75.
Lackey is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.14 in five career games against the Mets. However, he has not won in his past four outings, while losing three of the four. This season Lackey has given up 16 home runs over 12 starts and 8 in his past five outings.
After two strong starts back to back, deGrom then pitched poorly for two consecutive outings. Over his past two starts deGrom has given up 18 hits and 15 runs over eight innings.
Mets right-fielder Jay Bruce has a current hitting streak of eight straight games, while Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo has a hitting streak of six straight games entering this contest.
Chicago is 3-13 in its past 16 games on the road.
New York is 1-4 in its past 5 games at home.
Prediction: deGrom will be the difference in this, lean toward the Mets.
