Cubs vs Mets Betting Preview: Cubs Aim to Extend Playoff Push Against Struggling Mets

Chicago Cubs Surge into New York, Seeking to Deepen Mets’ Woes

The Chicago Cubs just won back-to-back games against the MLB-leading Atlanta Braves and now head to New York to face a Mets team that has lost its last six games. The Cubs vs Mets betting preview favors the Mets in the series opener.

When the season began, it would have been hard to predict that the Cubs would be 7.5 games ahead of the Mets in the National League standings at this point of the season.

The Cubs are 26-26 on the road this season while the Mets are 26-23 at home this season.

The Cubs are priced at +6500 to win the World Series. The championship odds have fallen to +25000 from +850 since the season began.

Probable Starting Pitchers

• Monday: Drew Smyly (Cubs); Kodai Senga (Mets)
• Tuesday: Jameson Taillon (Cubs); Carlos Carrasco (Mets)
• Wednesday: Kyle Hendricks (Cubs); Drew Peterson (Mets)

Cubs In Playoff Contention

When the Cubs dropped three straight games to the Los Angeles Angels in June, Chicago was 10 games under .500 and nowhere to be found in the National League playoff race.

The Cubs are 32-18 over their last 50 games to move into a tie for second place in the National League Central Division and tied for the final playoff spot in the NL. Keep that in mind when looking at the Cubs vs Mets betting preview.

When looking at the MLB team stats, the Cubs are second in the majors with a .498 slugging percentage over the last 25 games with the 97 extra-base hits the most in the majors during that stretch.

Cody Bellinger is hitting .375 with seven home runs, 21 runs, and 24 RBIs with Mike Tauschman batting .346 and Yan Gomes coming in at .307. Among other MLB stats to consider, Jeimer Candelario is hitting .571 in the six games since joining the Cubs.

Wait ‘Til Next Year

Once the New York Mets sent the message that they were waving the white flag on the 2023 season with the trade of star reliever David Robertson, a difficult season has become almost unbearable.

Robertson’s last game with the Mets was on July 25, the Mets are 3-8. Along the way, outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham as well as starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander have been traded. That will factor into the Cubs vs Mets betting preview.

With so many key players gone, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise that the Mets are winless in August and have been outscored 39-14, and have the worst team ERA in the majors.

Who’s Hot

• Cody Bellinger, Chicago Cubs OF: Bellinger is 13-for-31 with three doubles and a home run during an eight-game hitting streak.
• Mark Leiter, Chicago Cubs P: Leiter has allowed four hits and one run in 11.1 innings over his last 11 games.
• Jeff McNeil, New York Mets 2B: McNeil is batting .278 with a triple and home run over his last nine games.
• David Peterson, New York Mets P: Peterson has allowed two runs in his last six games as he has surrendered eight hits and struck out eight in 10 innings of work.

Who’s Not

• Brett Baty, New York Mets IF: Baty is 0-for-18 with eight strikeouts in his last six games.
• Carlos Carrasco, New York Mets P: Carrasco has allowed 32 hits and 21 runs in 15.1 innings over his last four starts.
• Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs P: Hendricks is coming off his shortest outing of the season with eight hits and seven runs in four innings of work. He has a 6.75 ERA in his last three games.
• Patrick Wisdom, Chicago Cubs 3B: Wisdom is 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts in his last 10 games.

Cubs vs Mets Injury Update

The Cubs should get starting pitcher Marcus Stroman as well as relief pitchers Brad Boxberger and Nick Burdi back at some point this month.

For the Mets, pitchers Sam Coonrod and Edwin Uceta are also expected back in August.

Cubs vs Mets Betting Preview

When looking at the MLB players stats, the Cubs lead the majors with 164 runs, 236 hits, a .296 batting average, and 31 stolen bases (on 33 attempts). Now they feast on a Mets pitching staff that was weakened by some deadline deals.

If there is good news for the Mets, neither Justin Steele nor Stroman will be throwing for the Cubs in this series.

The Cubs had won six straight games against the Mets before New York’s 10-1 road win on May 25. Counting that game, road teams have won eight of the last 11 matchups between the Mets and Cubs.

Three of the last four games have gone over the total with the total set at 9, the highest in the last 15 games between the teams. The total has gone over in five of Chicago’s last seven games as well as in four of the last six games played by the Mets.

The Mets (-108) are slight favorites in Monday’s series opener.

The teams are 70-52 this season when listed as the favorites compared to a 31-58 record as the underdog.

The Cubs have covered 29 of the 52 road games with the Mets just 22-40 against the spread at Citi Field.

For MLB news, MLB odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Braves vs Pirates Preview: Atlanta Aims To Get Back on Track in Pittsburgh
• Yankees vs White Sox Odds: New York’s Still In Contention
• Marlins vs Reds Betting Odds: Miami Road Favorites in Opener
• Marlins vs Rangers Betting Odds: Seager’s Return Boosts First-Place Texas
• Diamondbacks vs Twins Betting Preview: Twins Look to Tame Visiting Diamondbacks