A seven game losing streak left the Mets’ faithful—and their bettors—concerned as the team slipped below .500, but four straight wins has helped rebuild confidence around the other New York team as the Mets (40-37, $67) get set to host the Chicago Cubs (39-35, $107) in the second of three on Wednesday.
ODDS ANALYSIS
New York is very dependent on their pitching to get them where they want to go as the lineup and offense is lacking.
All in all, the Mets have outscored only the Phillies in the NL, but have been able to cobble together enough offense at times, though they’ve been an exceptionally streaky team.
Right now, the streaking is positive as they have won four straight games.
The Chicago Cubs have not looked as good as the Mets have at times this year, but they have been more consistent and have not looked as bad either.
Despite a collection of good young talent, it has been the offense that has been the weaker point for them as well.
PITCHING MATCHUP
While pitching has been king for both teams, each send a struggling veteran to the mound to start this middle game of the series.
For the Mets, the starter is Bartolo Colon. The 42-year old right-hander looked unstoppable early on going 6-1 with a 3.30 ERA to start the year, but his ERA has now ballooned to 4.89 as he is 3-5 with a 6.50 ERA since his first seven decisions.
In Colon’s last two outings, he has pitched 10 1/3 innings, allowing 10 earned runs—11 total—on 19 hits and two walks while striking out seven.
The Cubs’ supposed ace gets the start against Colon on Wednesday and is just 4-6 himself with a 4.03 ERA and 1.366 WHIP in 89 1/3 innings.
The 31-year old lefty seemed to find his way in May with a 1.76 ERA, but is 0-3 with a 5.74 ERA since. In his last game, Lester went just four innings, allowing four runs on four hits and four walks.
In the southpaw’s only start against the Mets this year, Lester allowed three runs on six hits which included a pair of home runs.
QUOTE TO NOTE
After Lester’s last start, his manager Joe Maddon spoke frankly about his starter, saying:
“The fastball was not going to where he wanted it to go, and that was a problem.”
Like any pitcher, Lester needs to establish his fastball and work off of it to find success. His fastball control has been lacking and consequently, so has his consistency this year.
LIVE/SITUATIONAL BETTING
The Mets are four games over .500 despite their offense. Early on, they were able to get the big hit at the right time and play better than their statistics would indicate, but since then the team’s onslaught of injuries and inconsistencies has led to long losing streaks and lackluster performances.
Individually, New York likely needs another big bat if they want to stay in contention all year. The team has Lucas Duda (.812 OPS) providing a bit of pop with 10 home runs and 20 doubles, but outside of him, the team’s only healthy contributor is Curtis Granderson whose 40 strike outs indicate holes in his swing with can be exploited by quality pitching.
Despite that, the “Grandy Man” has a .803 OPS driven by a .357 OBP and team leading 13 home runs.
Chicago has more than just two good offensive players as Anthony Rizzo (.981 OPS) leads the team, but he has Kris Bryant (.841 OPS), Miguel Montero (.759 OPS), Chris Coghlan (.796 OPS) and Chris Denorfia (.805 OPS) hitting, too.
All in all, with Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell providing some offense, the team’s only real whole is at shortstop where Starlin Castro has been stagnating for a couple years.
PROP TALK
For individual stats in this game, look to Granderson. The outfielder has struggled against lefties this year, but has a .831 OPS at home, is hitting .303 here in June and has gone 11 for 40 in his career against Lester with a pair of home runs and five extra base hits.
Of course, being prone to the strike out, Lester has struck him out 15 times, though when he has connected, he’s done damage.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Over his last several starts, Colon has looked finished. The aging veteran looked anything but his age in April, but has looked even older lately.
For the Mets, they have little to hang their hats on outside of their rotation and when their starters don’t deliver, they have little to fall back on.
The Mets’ bullpen is solid (2.84 ERA), but if the team cannot get to them with the lead, they hold little chance of getting the win as this offense is not the kind you can count on for a big come from behind victory.
Lester, of course, has not been great either, but I have more faith in him and the Cubs’ offense than in Colon and the Mets’ bats.
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 Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field. The game will be televised live on WGN.
