PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Thursday Night THUNDER >> TOP MLB Play! 5-1 L6 MLB 10*s!
(MLB) Chi Cubs vs. NY Mets,
Money Line: -160.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
Money Line: -160.00 Chi Cubs (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The New York Mets posted a 4-1 victory in Atlanta last night, as four relievers combined for four innings of one-run ball. New York jumped to an 11-1 start to the open the season but the Mets won for just the third time in 10 games Wednesday. New York sits 27-26 (4 1/2 games back in the NL East) as it opens a four-game home series with the Chicago Cubs at Citi Filed on Thursday night. The Cubs have averaged nearly six runs over their last 21 contests and have won five of their last seven on the road, although they squandered plenty of opportunities in Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Pittsburgh. After an inconsistent start to the season, Chicago's offense has come to life in May, with the Cubs now in second place in the NL Central at 29-25. However, they are 4 1/2 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers, whose 36-21 record is an NL-best.
The pitching matchup: The Cubs will start lefty Jose Quintana (5-4, 4.78 ERA) and the Mets will counter with Seth Lugo (1-1, 2.48 ERA). Quintana has failed to get through five innings in three of his last five starts, issuing 15 walks over 26 innings in that span. He was pulled after just 4 1/3 innings last time out, allowing four runs and five hits in a 5-4 loss to San Francisco. The Cubs are a modest 6-4 in Quintana's 10 starts this season and he is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in only two career starts against New York. Lugo has been a valuable member of the Mets' bullpen but will make a spot start after 20 appearances in relief. He worked 17 consecutive scoreless innings before allowing three runs in his last outing Monday at Atlanta. Lugo is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three career games (one start) against the Cubs.
The pick: New York's bullpen has been a revolving door (4.29 ERA ranks 22nd) and while that bullpen came through last night, it will be tested again during a four-game series against the Cubs with Seth Lugo stepping out of his relief role to start on short rest in tonight's series opener. Quintana has struggled at home this season (6.66 ERA) but in five road starts, his ERA is 3.18. With Chicago's bats heating up (see above), I'll make Chicago a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: The Cubs will start lefty Jose Quintana (5-4, 4.78 ERA) and the Mets will counter with Seth Lugo (1-1, 2.48 ERA). Quintana has failed to get through five innings in three of his last five starts, issuing 15 walks over 26 innings in that span. He was pulled after just 4 1/3 innings last time out, allowing four runs and five hits in a 5-4 loss to San Francisco. The Cubs are a modest 6-4 in Quintana's 10 starts this season and he is 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in only two career starts against New York. Lugo has been a valuable member of the Mets' bullpen but will make a spot start after 20 appearances in relief. He worked 17 consecutive scoreless innings before allowing three runs in his last outing Monday at Atlanta. Lugo is 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA in three career games (one start) against the Cubs.
The pick: New York's bullpen has been a revolving door (4.29 ERA ranks 22nd) and while that bullpen came through last night, it will be tested again during a four-game series against the Cubs with Seth Lugo stepping out of his relief role to start on short rest in tonight's series opener. Quintana has struggled at home this season (6.66 ERA) but in five road starts, his ERA is 3.18. With Chicago's bats heating up (see above), I'll make Chicago a 10* play.
