In this Cubs at Mets prediction, the Cubs continue their three-game weekend series against the Mets in Queens on Saturday night. This will be a battle of two division leaders, with the Mets leading the way in the NL East Division and the Cubs atop the NL Central. The Cubs have yet to announce a starter for Saturday’s game, a spot that has to be filled due to the recent hamstring injury to lefty Shota Imanaga, while the Mets will hand the ball to righty Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM EST. Read on for more in this Cubs/Mets prediction, and grab our top MLB predictions to increase your bankroll!
Chicago battles through injuries
The Cubs have gotten off to a strong start despite battling through injuries to their starting rotation. The team has already lost starter Justin Steele for the season to an arm injury, has starter Javier Assad on the IL, and is now dealing with an injury to ace Shota Imanaga. Despite this, the Cubs are still in first place in the NL Central but have lost each of their last two games heading into this series. That includes a 3-1 loss to the Giants at home on Wednesday. The Cubs were held to just four hits in the game, including two doubles from Nico Hoerner. Starter Ben Brown went five innings and allowed six hits and three runs while striking out nine.
*This article was written before the completion of Friday night’s game between the Cubs and Mets.
The Cubs have yet to announce a starter for Saturday’s game against the high-powered Mets offense. They have a couple of candidates that are possibilities with both veteran Chris Flexan available for a turn as well as one of the team’s top prospects, Cade Horton. Horton was the Cubs’ first-round draft pick back in the 2022 MLB Draft. In six starts this season, in Triple-A, Horton has a 1.24 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. He was called up on Friday by the Cubs and will likely get the call on Saturday. Flexen gives the team a long relief possibility should things go south with Horton in his first big league start.
Key Injuries: RP Ryan Brasier, RP Eli Morgan, SP Shota Imanaga, and RP Brandon Birdsell are out.
Mets looking amazing
The New York Mets have turned last year’s late playoff run into a strong start to the 2025 season. Heading into this weekend's series with the Cubs, the Mets are in first place in the NL East Division, just ahead of the red-hot Phillies. The Mets have won two of their last three games heading into Friday’s series opener. On Wednesday, the Mets picked up a 7-1 win at Arizona over the Diamondbacks. Juan Soto had his second two-homer game of the season while starter Kodai Senga went six innings and allowed two hits without a run. He walked five batters and struck out four.
*This article was written before the completion of Friday night’s game between the Cubs and Mets.
The Mets will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday against the Cubs at home. They’ll hand the ball to righty Tylor Megill on Saturday night. Megill is 3-2 in seven starts this season with an ERA of 2.50 and a WHIP of 1.17. He has one quality start in his first seven this season. Megill has allowed 27 hits in 36 innings while walking 15 and striking out 45 batters. In his last start, a 5-4 loss at St. Louis, Megill allowed four hits and four runs in five innings of work. He walked three and struck out six batters. The Mets are just 1-4 in Megill's last five games.
Key Injuries: SS Ronny Mauricio, SP Frankie Montas, and RP Yacksel Rios are out.
Best Bets for Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Mets should have the edge on Saturday, facing either an untested rookie in Horton or a bullpen game led by journeyman Flexan. The Mets’ starter, Megill, has not gone terribly deep into games, but he has held the opposition in check. He has allowed 27 hits in 36 innings pitched while also striking out 45 batters. Megill has also done a great job keeping the ball in the yard, allowing just two home runs on the season. The Mets’ offense should have its way with the Cubs in what amounts to a bullpen game on Saturday.
Take the Mets with the money line.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Mets have gone over the number in three of the last five games they have played heading into Friday night’s game. They will have the advantage here, facing an untested pitcher and likely the Cubs’ bullpen on Saturday. The Cubs are hitting a robust .258 as a team and have belted 55 home runs this season. Given the uncertainty on the mound for the Cubs and the Mets' ability to put up numbers, this one should go over the number.
Take the over.
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