MLB Baseball
2013-05-17 - New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
United States: MLB Baseball
Friday 17 May 2013 - First Pitch 2:20pm
7:20pm (British Time)
Preview
The New York Mets (15-23) visit the Chicago Cubs (17-23) for the a three game series for the only time this season and will be hoping they can get out of the position of holding the second worst record in the National League. Both teams are not really expected to be playing in the Play Offs, but neither will want to have a losing record on the season.
New York have been struggling in recent games and they are 5-16 since the middle of last month, although they did snap their latest 6 game losing run with a win over St Louis yesterday. The bats also seemed to come alive for the Mets in that game and that can only be good news for their starting pitcher in this one.
Matt Harvey is given the ball for the Mets and he is 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA this season from his 8 starts this season. However, he has gone on a 4 game winless run simply because he has only been supported by 6 runs despite the fact that he has given up 2 runs or fewer in 7 of his 8 starts this season.
The pitcher is going to be opposed by Edwin Jackson in this one as Jackson has gone 1-5 with a 6.02 ERA this season. However, Jackson is off his best start since signing for the Cubs this off-season as he held his former team, the Washington Nationals, to 2 runs in under 6 innings pitched for his first win of the season.
While the Mets have been struggling, the Chicago Cubs have gone 11-5 in their last 16 games, mainly thanks to their bullpen turning around their form. The bullpen has a 1.62 ERA in their last 6 games after struggling with a 4.57 ERA in their first 34 games this season.
Head to Head
The Chicago Cubs are 6-2 in the last 8 games in the series with the New York Mets.
Chicago are also 10-4 in their last 14 home games against the Mets.
Prediction
It is hard to oppose Chicago in their current form, but I do think Matt Harvey can give the New York Mets a better foundation than Edwin Jackson so will back the Mets to win this one.
The Pick :
Chicago Cubs 2-4 New York Mets
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the New York Mets @ 1.75
