Chicago Cubs (38-29) vs. New York Mets (34-25)
June 17, 2021 7:10 pm EDT
The Line: New York Mets -125 / Chicago Cubs +115; Over/Under: -7.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets meet Thursday in MLB action from Citi Field. This will be the final installment in a four-game series between these teams this week. The Mets managed wins in the first two games, then on Wednesday New York kept it going with a three-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago saw their win streak come to a halt Monday in a 5-2 loss, and the Cubs fell again Tuesday 3-2. In the Wednesday game, Chicago posted just three hits in a 6-3 defeat. Robert Stock managed 4.0 innings with five earned on four hits.
For the Thursday starting pitcher job, the Cubs are sending out Kyle Hendricks. Across 74.2 innings of work this year, Hendricks has 86 hits, 41 runs (37 earned), 19 homers allowed, 15 walks, 58 strikeouts and a 4.46 ERA.
Over on the Mets’ side, they got a nice 7.0 innings with five hits, two earned and 12 Ks out of Taijuan Walker in the Tuesday game. On Wednesday New York managed two runs in the second and fourth innings on the way to the win. Jacob deGrom posted 3.0 innings with eight Ks before exiting with an injury.
For the starter job in the Thursday matchup, the Mets are going with Marcus Stroman. Over his 77.2 innings this year Stroman has 66 hits, 26 runs (20 earned), eight homers allowed, 18 walks, 67 Ks and a 2.32 ERA.
The Cubs are 65-30 in their last 96 Thursday games and 12-2 in the last 14 with the total set at 9.0-10.5. The under is 4-1 in Chicago’s last five in game four of a series and 18-6-2 in their last 26 versus a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
Meanwhile, the Mets are 8-2 in their last 10 Thursday games and 20-7 in their last 27 home games. The under is 20-7-2 in New York’s last 29 home games and the over is 5-1 in their last six in game four of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stick with the Mets. Stroman has notched just one earned on 10 hits in his last 13.0 innings, and he’s been quite efficient this season overall. Stroman has finished between six and seven innings in each of his last seven outings as well. As for Hendricks, he’s coming off a quality start Saturday and has a 6-0 record over his last six starts. This should be a fun starter matchup but I like Stroman a little better.
