Sunday, October 18, 2015

Citi Field

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Jake Arrieta (24-6) vs. Noah Syndergaard (9-7)

The New York Mets host the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on Sunday in Game 2 of the NLCS. The probable starters are Jake Arrieta for the Cubs and Noah Syndergaard for the Mets. The opening line for this matchup has Chicago at -115 and New York at +105. The over/under was set at 7. The Cubs, with a 85-82 run line record, cover the spread 51% of the time. They also have a 74-83 over/under record. The Mets have a 86-75 over/under record and a 86-80 run line mark, which means they are covering the spread 52% of the time.

The Cubs head into this matchup with a 101-66 record, including 50-34 on the road. Jake Arrieta has an earned run average of 1.81 and is 24-6 so far on the season while having a 0.86 WHIP. He's pitched 243.2 innings thus far while surrendering 160 hits over that time and when he starts, the Cubs are 27-8. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 9-20. He is getting 4.3 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently 3.38 and they've given up 450 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .230 against the bullpen while being struck out 511 times and walking 183 times this season. As a team, Chicago has allowed 7.83 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.91 batters per nine. They are 3rd in the league in team earned run average at 3.37.

As a team, Chicago is batting .244, good for 28th in the league while putting together a .249 average away from home. Ranked at 12th in the league in on-base percentage, the Cubs sit at .321 and they hold a .401 team slugging percentage. They rank 28th in baseball with 8.25 hits per game and Anthony Rizzo leads the team with 166.

With a 50-33 home record, New York will hope to improve on their 93-74 overall mark. Noah Syndergaard is starting this game 9-7 for the season with an earned run average of 3.24 and a WHIP of 1.05. He's pitched 150 innings thus far while surrendering 126 hits over that time in which the Mets are 11-9. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 11-10. He is getting 5.1 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen's earned run average is currently at 3.48 and they have given up 398 hits on the season. Teams are hitting .230 against the Mets bullpen while being struck out 446 times and walking 170 times this season. As a team, New York has allowed 8.25 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.31 batters per nine. They are 4th in the league in team earned run average at 3.45.

As a team, they are batting .243, good for 29th in the league while putting together a .234 average at home. Ranked at 21st in the league in on-base percentage, the Mets sit at .311 and they hold a .399 team slugging percentage. They rank 27th in baseball with 8.29 hits per game and Curtis Granderson leads the team with 157.

The Cubs have committed 111 errors and have combined for 1,669 assists and 4,384 put outs leading to a .982 team fielding percentage. For the home team, they hold a .986 team fielding percentage while committing 88 errors, accumulating 1,599 assists and compiling 4,388 put outs.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

The Chicago Cubs are 74-83 against the over/under so far this season

The Chicago Cubs are 85-82 against the run line so far this season

New York Mets Betting Trends

The New York Mets are 86-75 against the over/under so far this season

The New York Mets are 86-80 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

10/15/15 SS Addison Russell Hamstring is downgraded to expected to miss NLCS
08/25/15 P Jason Motte Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (8/24)
07/29/15 P Neil Ramirez Abdominal Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/29)
04/06/15 P Jacob Turner Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

New York Mets

10/17/15 1B Lucas Duda Rest is not expected to be in the starting lineup Saturday vs. Chicago Cubs
10/11/15 3B Ruben Tejada Knee out for season
10/02/15 P Steven Matz Back out indefinitely
09/26/15 3B Juan Uribe Chest out indefinitely
08/05/15 P Rafael Montero Rotator Cuff Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/30)
07/29/15 P Jenrry Mejia Suspension out for season
06/04/15 RF Cesar Puello Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (4/6)
05/14/15 P Buddy Carlyle Back Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/12)
04/06/15 P Joshua Edgin Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season
04/06/15 P Zack Wheeler Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take the Cubs

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink