Jason Hammel (3-1, 3.52 ERA) and Matt Harvey (5-1, 2.72 ERA) are on the hill in the third of a four-game series between the Chicago Cubs (17-15) and the New York Mets (20-13) at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won the last game 6-1 and Chicago leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 13 and can be seen on SNY, WGN and ESPN.
Hammel is 0-3 with a 6.33 ERA in his appearances against the Mets, but goes up against a below-average New York offense which is batting just .236 this season. Kris Bryant (.276, 15 Rs, 3 HRs, 19 RBIs, 2 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. When pitching against the Cubs, Harvey is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and six strikeouts. Lucas Duda (.286, 18 Rs, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
New York takes on Chicago as a -117 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is currently not available. The Cubs have an overall money line of -90 and a record as the underdog of 8-7. Chicago is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 30 bases. Chicago’s pitching staff has been doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 6.2 runs per game, well above its season average of 4.5. The Cubs are the top team in the NL at limiting hits during home games, allowing only 7.7 hits per contest to their opponents this season.
In the other locker room, New York is coming in with an overall money line of +856 and an impressive record of 15-3 as the favorite. They played solid baseball as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 5-2 record, and a 5-5 record SU. Offensively, the Mets have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 3.8 runs per game by averaging 2.8 during that stretch. New York’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL, with a 2.90 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.16 for the season.
The Cubs have the edge in the season series, 2-0. The Cubs have a 14-12 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Harvey takes the mound. Hammel (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 17-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Mets have a 5-10 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
It looks like the Cubs have a slight leg up on the Mets, as the Cubs have won their last two games while the Mets have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cubs are 10-2. The Mets have an 11-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th in runs, New York has earned 124 this season. Chicago ranks 17th with 137 runs.
Ranking 16th, New York is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 96 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at fifth with 114.
When the Cubs hit at least one home run, they are 13-5. When the Mets hit at least one homer, they have a 12-4 record.
