The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets clash Monday in game 1 of an MLB series at Citi Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Cubs look to stay hot after winning 5 of their last 6 games. The Cubs are just 1.5 games out of the NL Central. The Cubs pitching staff is 15th in ERA (4.13), 18th in WHIP (1.28) and 8th in quality starts (48). The Cubs’ offense is 5th in runs per game (5.12), 8th in batting average (.257) and 13th in homers (135). Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with 119 hits and 58 RBI, while Dansby Swanson and Cody Bellinger have combined for 200 hits and 108 RBI. Drew Smyly gets the ball, and he is 8-7 with a 4.71 ERA and 104 strikeouts this season. Smyly is 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA and 30 strikeouts in his career against the Mets.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

• The Cubs have won each of their last four games as road underdogs against the Mets.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last seven night games following a win.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last six games as road underdogs against National League opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last six games as road underdogs.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last four games against the Mets at Citi Field.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Drew Smyly has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last three appearances in night games.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 13 appearances against NL East opponents.
• Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last eight appearances against the Mets.
• Dansby Swanson has hit a home run in each of his last three appearances with his team as an underdog against the Mets.
• Ian Happ has scored at least one run in each of his last seven appearances against opponents that held a losing record.
• Cody Bellinger has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Cubs’ last six games against NL East opponents.
• Nico Hoerner ranks T7th in the league in Steals (27) this season.

New York Mets Betting Preview

The Mets look to play spoiler while snapping a 6-game losing streak. The Mets have dropped to 7.5 games out of the wild card race. The Mets pitching staff is 19th in ERA (4.41), 22nd in WHIP (1.37) and 19th in quality starts (36). The Mets offense is 20th in runs per game (4.32), 24th in batting average (.236) and 12th in homers (137). Brandon Nimmo leads the Mets with 104 hits and 47 RBI, while Jeff McNeil and Francisco Lindor have combined for 201 hits and 106 RBI. Kodai Senga gets the ball, and he is 7-6 with a 3.25 ERA and 136 strikeouts this season. This will be Senga’s second career game against the Cubs.

New York Mets Team Facts

• The Mets have lost seven of their last eight games as home favourites against the Cubs following a loss.
• The home team has covered the run line in each of the Mets’ last seven games.
• The Mets have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last five games.
• The Mets have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last six games.

New York Mets Player Prop Facts

• Pete Alonso has hit a home run in four of the Mets’ last five games against the Cubs.
• Brandon Nimmo has scored a run in four of his last five appearances.
• Starling Marte has recorded two total bases in four of his last five appearances with his team as a favourite against the Cubs.
• Kodai Senga has recorded eight or more strikeouts in four of his last five home appearances against NL opponents.
• Pete Alonso has recorded at least one hit in each of the Mets’ last seven games against the Cubs.
• Pete Alonso has recorded at least one RBI in seven of the Mets’ last eight games as favourites against the Cubs.
• Pete Alonso ranks 3rd in the league in Home Runs (31) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Mets ranks T28th in the league for doubles this season (151).
• The New York Mets ranks 4th in the league for strikeouts against this season (876).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 3rd in the league for walks this season (406).
• The Chicago Cubs are one of only 3 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both steals and batting average this season.

Randy’s Pick

The Mets are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home and Kodai Senga has been sharper than Drew Smyly with his 3.25 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. However, the Mets have been disappointing all year, they’re piling up the losses right now and only the Diamondbacks and Marlins have lost more money than the Mets over the last 30 days. Backing the Mets isn’t an option right now. Also, the Cubs are 16-7 since the all star break, making them one of the hottest teams in baseball. Two teams heading in different directions. I’ll gladly grab the Cubs and the plus money.