The set-up:The Cubs won 7-5 on Sunday to avoid a four-game sweep at the hands of the Rockies in Wrigley Field. Chicago now heads back on the road where the Cubs have lost eight straight (0-6 on the team's last road trip) and haven't won a series away from Wrigley since taking two of three at Pittsburgh from April 24-26. Sunday's win snapped a four-game slide for the Cubs and the etem's four-HR game was a welcome sight. The Mets com inteo this series having won the last three contests of their four-game weekend series in Atlanta, which has allowed them to move into second place in the NL East, although they remain 9 1/2 games behind the division-leading Nats.

The pitching matchup: John Lackey (4-6 & 5.12 ERA) will get the start for Chicago and Jacob deGrom (4-3 & 4.75 ERA) takes the mound for New York. Lackey is part of a struggling Chicago starting staff and is win-less in his last four starts (he's 0-3 and the etam 1-3 with Lackey owning a 6.65 ERA). Lackey has surrendered 16 HRs in 12 starts this season, as the Cubs are 6-6 in his starts, with Lackey owning a 1.36 WHIP and ,270 opponents BA to go along with his poor ERA. However, Lackey has pitched well against the Mets, going 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five career meetings (teams are 3-2). DeGrom comes in off back-to-back poor outings (I'm being kind saying "only" poor). He's been rocked for 15 runs on 18 hits in just eight innings over his last two outings (16.88 ERA). DeGrom is also a modest 2-2 with a 4.61 ERA in five career starts against the Cubs (Mets are 2-3).

The pick: Yes, Lackey has struggled lately but he's pitched well against the Mets recently. DeGrom is also struggling but he'll face a Chicago team which has scored only 12 runs during its eight-game road slide. Make the Under a 10* play.