The Cubs return to the NLCS for the first time since 2003 after clinching a postseason series win at Wrigley for the first time ever. Citi Field will be the starting point of this series, however, as the Mets are another team that’s overachieved this year and gotten back to the NLCS after a long hiatus.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Cubs swept the Mets in the seven game season series this year and, as a result, certainly have the upper hand according to the trends.
Both teams, however, are hot as evidenced by them making it to the NLCS. The Mets are also a much different team than they were the last time these teams opposed one another back on July 2.
In that game, the Mets’ starting lineup had just one player hitting over .254 and was missing David Wright, Yoenis Cespedes and Travis d’Arnaud amongst others.
PITCHING MATCHUP
It was Jake Arrieta that got the nod in the Wildcard game, but Jon Lester started Game 1 of the NLDS and will get the same honor for the NLCS as well.
Lester’s first season on the North Side wasn’t quite as good as the Cubs brass would have hoped, but he still ended up with a 3.34 ERA and 1.122 WHIP. Over 32 starts, he posted a 11-12 record in 205 innings.
Lester’s been pretty strong over his last several starts. He had a 2.36 ERA in his last six starts of the regular season. In his only start this postseason, he lasted seven and a third innings against the Cardinals, allowing three runs and striking out nine.
This season against the Mets, Lester pitched twice, allowing just three runs over 13 innings of work.
The Mets’ rotation for this series is still up in the air. Jacob deGrom pitched in Game 5 against the Dodgers. Noah Syndergaard also logged an inning on Thursday.
Syndergaard could still come back and get the start. He was very good in the NLCS, topping 100-mph on the radar gun. He’s also much better at home.
Another, probably more likely pick would be Matt Harvey. The young right-hander was the team’s second best starter in the regular season behind deGrom with a 2.71 ERA. He also threw well in a five inning start in Game 3 against Los Angeles.
QUOTE TO NOTE
Cubs’ president Theo Epstein noted similarities between the 2004 Red Sox and his squad after their NLDS win over the Cardinals, saying:
"We beat the Cardinals, these guys are like our older brothers and they've been kicking sand in our face for 100 years. There's a lot of similarities to when [the Red Sox] knocked off the Yankees in '04. This one just gives us a nice date on Saturday."
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Cubs offense has been hot in the postseason, scoring 24 runs in five games and slamming 12 home runs.
Chicago is getting a lot of power from rookies who are showing they’re not afraid of the big stage. Jorge Soler has already slammed two big home runs and Kyle Schwarber’s delivered three.
Dexter Fowler is having a great postseason, hitting .300 with a pair of home runs, too.
Of course, the Mets have their postseason heroes as well. Daniel Murphy is a solid hitter, but isn’t known for his pop. Despite that, he drove three out of the yard in the Dodgers’ series.
PROP TALK
An interesting matchup to watch in Game 1 will be Lester against the Mets’ Curtis Granderson. The duo have matched up numerous times as part of a different rivalry with one in red and the other in pinstripes.
Overall, Granderson is 12-for-44 against Lester with a couple home runs. Lester, however, has struck him out 15 times.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Mets have a much better offense than they did the last time the Cubs played them, of course, Chicago’s lineup is quite a bit deeper now, too.
New York has the home field edge and most of their young guns pitch better at home. I expect whoever gets the ball to pitch well, but the Cubs’ have a proven postseason arm who has found success against New York this year.
Chicago also has the nation behind them as they look to take another step towards breaking a curse with a team too young to realize the significance of where they are, or—perhaps—too good for it to matter.
Chicago 5, New York 3
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 8:05 p.m. ET at Citi Field. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TBS.
