Mets vs. Cubs: A Clash of Underperforming Teams – Preview & Predictions

Mets vs. Cubs: A Battle for Momentum

The New York Mets (7-12, fifth in the NL East) head to Wrigley Field to face the Chicago Cubs (9-9, fifth in the NL Central) this Friday at 2:20 p.m. EDT. Both teams are looking to find consistency early in the season, making this a crucial matchup for both franchises.

Pitching Matchup

Kodai Senga (0-2, 7.07 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 19 strikeouts) takes the mound for the Mets. Senga, despite the less-than-stellar ERA, has shown flashes of brilliance with his strikeout ability. He’ll need to refine his control to limit the damage against a Cubs lineup that can be potent.

Opposing him is Edward Cabrera (1-0, 1.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 13 strikeouts) for the Cubs. Cabrera has been impressive in his limited starts, showcasing excellent command and a knack for getting hitters out. He’ll be a tough test for the struggling Mets offense.

Key Stats & Trends

Cubs: 9-9 overall, 4-5 at home. They’ve excelled when scoring five or more runs, going 8-2 in those games.
Mets: 7-12 overall, 4-6 on the road. They’ve shown some power, going 2-1 in games with at least two home runs.
Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with a .324 batting average, two home runs, nine walks, and 18 RBIs.
Carson Kelly has been hot for Chicago, going 12 for 33 with three doubles, a home run, and four RBIs in his last 10 games.
Luis Robert has provided some power for the Mets with two home runs.
Francisco Lindor is looking to heat up, going 9 for 44 with a double and a home run over his last 10 games.

Recent Performance

The Cubs are 5-5 in their last 10 games, batting .277 with a 4.45 ERA. They’ve outscored opponents by 15 runs during this stretch. The Mets, however, have struggled, going 2-8 with a .201 batting average and a 5.01 ERA, being outscored by 28 runs.

Injury Report

The Cubs are dealing with a significant number of injuries, including Ethan Roberts (finger), Hunter Harvey (tricep), Phil Maton (knee), Matthew Boyd (biceps), Cade Horton (forearm), Porter Hodge (elbow), Justin Steele (elbow), Jordan Wicks (forearm), Shelby Miller (elbow), and Christopher Austin (knee) all on the injured list.

The Mets also have a lengthy injury list, featuring Jared Young (knee), Joey Gerber (finger), Juan Soto (calf), Justin Hagenman (rib), A.J. Minter (lat), Reed Garrett (elbow), Tylor Megill (elbow), and Dedniel Nunez (elbow).

Prediction

Given Cabrera’s strong form and the Mets’ recent offensive struggles, the Cubs are favored in this matchup. However, the Mets possess the potential to surprise, especially if Senga can limit his walks and keep the ball in the yard. Expect a competitive game, but lean towards a Cubs victory.

For more in-depth MLB coverage, check out MLB.com.