Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 4.00 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs square off against Jacob deGrom (16-8, 2.47 ERA) and the New York Mets in Game 3 of the League Championship Series at Wrigley Field. The Mets won the last game 4-1, and New York leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 8:07 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 20 and can be seen on TBS.
Hendricks pitched 4.2 innings in Game 2 of the Divisional Playoffs, surrendering three runs and striking out seven in a 6-3 win over the Cardinals. Kris Bryant (.271, 88 Rs, 27 HRs, 102 RBIs, 13 SBs) had another good game Sunday, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. deGrom went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 3-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the Divisional Playoffs. Yoenis Cespedes (.287, 105 Rs, 37 HRs, 110 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one RBI.
New York takes on Chicago as a -130 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is currently unavailable. The Cubs have an overall money line of +1,757 and a record as the underdog of 25-27. Chicago’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 1.6 runs per game, well under their season average of 3.8. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.143 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cubs, who lead the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.8.
As for their opponent, New York is coming in with an overall money line of +596 and an impressive record of 72-34 as the favorite. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is the best in the NL. The Mets have a dynamic offense, ranking fourth in the league with 506 extra base hits. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Mets are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.175 for the season.
The Cubs have controlled the season series, 7-2. The Cubs have a 78-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when deGrom takes the mound. Hendricks (RHP) will be on the hill against the Mets, who have a 72-56 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
Having scored one run in their last game, the Cubs are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Mets have a 38-4 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
It looks like the Mets have a slight leg up on the Cubs, as the Mets have won their last three games while the Cubs have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Mets are 66-9. The Cubs have a 69-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Chicago and New York both rank in the top 10 of the league in runs. Chicago sits at ninth with 716 runs this season and New York ranks 10th with 713.
Ranking 10th, New York is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 506 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at second with 588.
When the Cubs hit at least one home run, they are 72-29, well-matched with the Mets who are 68-32 when hitting one or more homers.
