- Matchup: New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
- Broadcast: Marquee Sports Network
- Betting Odds: New York Mets (+120) Chicago Cubs (-144)
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On Saturday, the Chicago Cubs (9-9) will host the New York Mets (7-12) at Wrigley Field. The betting line shows New York at +120 and Chicago at -144, with the game total set at 8.5 runs. The starting pitchers for the contest are Freddy Peralta and Jameson Taillon.
The Mets have collectively amassed 24 doubles and launched 14 home runs this season. Currently, New York is slugging .331 and has recorded 156 strikeouts while drawing 58 walks. As a team, the Mets are generating an average of 3.4 runs per game, ranking 27th in the MLB. They have achieved 62 RBIs and 142 hits, with a batting average of .220 and an on-base percentage of .286.
With a K/BB ratio of 2.66, the Mets’ pitching staff boasts a WHIP of 1.27. The pitchers have surrendered 16 home runs and 79 runs total, placing them 13th in MLB. New York has given up 152 hits (8.0 per 9 innings) and 73 earned runs, achieving an impressive team ERA of 3.83 (10th overall). They have notched 173 strikeouts and issued 65 walks, yielding a collective FIP of 3.57 this season.
The Mets’ bullpen has a 50.0% save success rate with 8 save opportunities. They have converted 2 saves and missed 2 from those attempts. So far, 16 inherited runners have crossed the plate, but 50% succeeded in scoring. In high-leverage situations, the Mets have utilized their relief staff 21 times while deploying 53 relievers throughout the season. The bullpen has recorded 4 holds, placing them 29th in the league.
Defensively, the Mets have converted 69.8% of balls in play into outs, positioning them 18th among MLB teams. They’ve compiled 515 putouts, 174 assists, and made 9 errors, holding a fielding percentage of .987, which ranks 12th in the league, while executing 10 double plays.
Freddy Peralta, with a career record of 71-43, holds a FIP of 3.54, having faced 3,942 batters and yielding 710 hits (6.7 per 9 innings) while recording 368 walks. His career ERA stands at 3.59 (380 earned runs) with a WHIP of 1.132. Across 952 innings pitched, Peralta has collected 1,178 strikeouts.
The Chicago Cubs boast a .341 team on-base percentage and a .248 batting average this season. They have struck out 160 times (14th in MLB) and logged 153 hits, with 19 home runs and 84 RBIs to date. The Cubs’ slugging percentage is .386, averaging 5.22 runs per game (7th in MLB). They have also secured 28 doubles and 85 walks, amassing a total of 94 runs so far.
On the pitching side, the Cubs have permitted 75 runs, posting a team ERA of 3.88 (69 earned runs allowed). Their pitchers have conceded 22 home runs and allow 4.22 runs per 9 innings (11th in the league), with a team WHIP of 1.150 and a FIP of 4.24. They boast an 8.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio (155 strikeouts against 56 walks) and sit 2nd in the league for total hits allowed (128).
In 7 save situations, the Cubs have recorded 2 holds and experienced 3 blown saves. Their relievers have appeared in 5 save opportunities, converting 2 of them successfully. The inherited score percentage among their relief pitchers is 26.9% from 26 runners. This season, they have engaged 14 times in high-leverage situations with 19 appearances featuring runners on base, ranking 29th in save rate at 40%, deploying 55 relievers to the mound.
Defensively, the Cubs have achieved a 73.1% efficiency in 1,440 innings played (2nd in professional baseball). They have executed 14 double plays with a .988 fielding percentage, securing 10th in MLB. Overall, they have tallied 159 assists, committed 8 errors, and recorded 480 putouts this season.
Jameson Taillon has allowed 1,197 hits throughout his career while accumulating 1,090 strikeouts across 1,253 innings. He has permitted 541 earned runs, maintaining a WHIP of 1.195 and a FIP of 3.8. His strikeout-to-walk ratio stands at 3.63. With a career record of 82-61, Taillon holds a 3.89 ERA while yielding 8.6 hits per nine innings pitched.
Who will emerge victorious in today’s MLB matchup against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Bet on New York (+120)
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