Nine MLB games are on the schedule for Monday, September 12, and this National League duel is a must-win for the hosts, so here you can get the best Cubs vs. Mets betting pick and odds.
Chicago and New York will play the first of a three-game series at Citi Field, and the Mets are firm -275 moneyline favorites on the WynnBet Betting App, while the total is set at 8 runs. These National League rivals have met four times this season, and the Mets lead 3-1.
Cubs are in a losing mood at the moment
The Chicago Cubs are not playing well right now despite showing promise in late July and early-mid August. They lost ten of the previous 13 games and lost the four consecutive series to the Brewers, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Reds. Chicago did win the opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at home but lost the next one. Game 3 of that series will be played on Sunday night.
The Cubs took an early 1-0 lead in Game 2; however, San Francisco scored four runs in the 2nd inning and then maintained the lead to secure a 5-2 victory. Ian Happ registered the only RBI for the hosts, while Marcus Stroman struggled in his start. Stroman dropped to a 3-7 record after allowing four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 4.0 innings.
Javier Assad will take the mound for the 4th time this year when he faces the Mets on Monday. The 25-year-old right-hander currently owns a solid 2.93 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 12/7 K/BB ratio in 15.1 innings in his rookie campaign.
Mets are trying to stay above the Braves
The New York Mets are fighting their divisional foes Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the NL East. New York has a win more than Atlanta, but the Braves have a game in hand, so the Mets cannot afford to lose any of the three games against Chicago at home. They won three of the last four, including the most recent over the Miami Marlins.
Following a loss in the opener, the Mets responded with a comfortable 11-3 win. New York’s offense erupted in the 4th inning with eight runs, and Mark Canha was the star of that frame with a grand slam. Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, and Eduardo Escobar contributed two RBIs apiece. Carlos Carrasco (14-6) got a win after surrendering just a run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in 6.0 innings.
Chris Bassitt (13-7) is slated to start for the 27th time this year when he takes on the Cubs on Monday. The 33-year-old righty has a 3.24 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 153/41 K/BB ratio across 161.1 innings of work.
Trends:
Chicago:
3-10 in the last 13 overall2-9 in the last 11 games with the total set at 7.0-8.51-7 in the last eight road games
New York:
5-1 in the last six vs. National League Central opponents38-14 in the last 52 vs. a team with a losing record
Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets Pick
Bassitt will meet the Cubs for the first time since 2019, and out of the current Cubs batters, he faced Yan Gomes, Zach McKinstry, and Franmil Reyes, allowing just one hit in 15 at-bats. However, that lone hit was a two-run homer from McKinstry. I expect Bassitt to dominate this game after winning six of his last seven starts (6-0). In that span, Bassitt recorded three shutout starts and surrendered more than two runs only once. Chicago’s batters are not looking good right now, so I am backing the Mets’ starter to keep them in check on Monday.
Pick: Take the Mets at -1.5 Run Line (-125)
The Total
I already mentioned how good Bassitt is lately, and if he allows more than a run or two in this one, it would be a surprise for me. Javier Assad is a complete mystery for the Mets as they never met him before, and I believe he will be able to control the hosts in the opening few frames. That is before the Mets’ batters figure him out. Still, I don’t think he will surrender plenty of runs, so I am going with Under.
Pick: Under 8.5 runs (-120)
