Cubs vs Mets Prediction 18 April 2026
📡 Following Friday's blowout, the series in Chicago takes on a distinctly offensive tone. The Cubs head into Saturday with a 10-9 record, while the Mets stand at 7-13. The matchup itself suggests a continuation of high scoring: the hosts have hit a powerful stride offensively, and despite the visitors managing 14 hits, they still struggle with consistency in their game. In this scenario, betting on the over seems like a reasonable prediction.
Head-to-Head
📊 The outlook for a high total is evident here: 7 overs in the last 10 head-to-head matchups. Yesterday's game ended with a score of (12-4), and during the September 2025 series, the teams surpassed the high total three times in a row. Recently, this pair frequently engages in open scenarios where one team's offense quickly forces the other to respond.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results
Chicago Cubs Team Overview
The hosts are currently experiencing one of the hottest offensive stretches at the start of the season. On Friday, the Cubs once again scored ten or more runs, marking their third consecutive game with double-digit scoring. Furthermore, Chicago have tallied at least seven runs in each of their last five games, amassing a total of 47 runs over this span - averaging 9.4 per game. A crucial factor for such a prediction is that the depth of their lineup is truly effective, rather than relying on a single leader.
Match Results: Chicago Cubs
New York Mets Team Overview
The Mets find themselves in a contradictory situation. On one hand, the team recently racked up 14 hits, indicating their offense isn't entirely lifeless. On the other hand, New York is stuck in inefficiency: they left seven on base, hit into three double plays, and have scored more than four runs in only four of their last 18 games. Additionally, the roster isn't perfect: Juan Soto remains on the injured list, and the club is awaiting an MRI decision on Jorge Polanco's wrist.
Match Results: New York Mets
⚾ Starting Pitchers
For the Chicago Cubs, Jameson Taillon takes the mound. Heading into the game, he holds a 0-1 record, with a 4.86 ERA and 17 strikeouts. According to Statcast data, the current Mets lineup has a .297 AVG and .370 wOBA against him over 141 plate appearances, suggesting that despite their overall form not being at its peak, New York could still put up some runs.
The New York Mets will start Freddy Peralta. His current stats show a 1-1 record, a 3.86 ERA, and 25 strikeouts. On paper, he's the most skilled starter in this matchup, but he faces a tough challenge: Chicago is currently enjoying their best offensive stretch of the season, and even quality innings from Peralta may not ensure the hosts keep a low total throughout the game.
Editor's Prediction
Everything points to a scenario where only Chicago can significantly push the game towards the desired benchmark, while the Mets should contribute with a few runs of their own. The Cubs are on a three-game streak of scoring ten or more runs, New York racked up 14 hits yesterday and historically has decent numbers against Taillon, and the hosts are also dealing with pitching staff injuries, reducing their reliability in the late innings. In our view, this game has a good chance to turn into an open baseball contest, so we're taking the over on total runs at 7.5.
Betting Tips: Chicago Cubs - New York Mets
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