The New York Mets will host the Chicago Cubs for the third of a four-game set at Citi Field. It’s time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Cubs-Mets prediction and pick.

New York has taken the first two games of this series and has a chance to clinch with a win on Wednesday. The Mets are no 34-25 and in sole possession of first place in the National League East. Despite the losses to open this series, Chicago is still 38-29 and just 0.5 games back of the Brewers in the National League Central.

Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Cubs-Mets odds.

MLB Odds: Cubs-Mets Odds

Chicago Cubs +1.5 (+106)

New York Mets -1.5 (-126)

Over 6.5 Runs (-108)

Under 6.5 Runs (-112)

Why The Cubs Could Cover The Spread

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the hottest teams in baseball over the past few weeks. The offense has been red-hot for Chicago as they're now averaging 4.54 runs per game, which is good for 11th in the Majors. They have had a complete reversal of fortunes as their start to the season was dreadful and uncharacteristic. Despite all of the recent success, the Cubs have scored just four runs through the first two games of this series with the Mets. Chicago went just 1-5 with runners in scoring position in their latest loss and will have to do a better job against an extremely tough Mets pitching staff.

Chicago will turn to right-hander Robert Stock for the third game of this series. Stock will be making his Cubs debut on Wednesday. He was 0-3 with a 4.12 ERA through nine starts in Triple-A this season. The 31-year-old has appeared in 52 games during his Major League career with the Padres and the Red Sox. Stock is 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 63.2 innings of big league work.

Why The Mets Could Cover The Spread

The New York Mets continue to dominate behind one of the best pitching rotations in all of baseball. Taijuan Walker turned in another terrific start with 12 strikeouts on Tuesday for the Mets. New York improved their home record to an impressive 19-6 on the season. The pitching staff has done almost all of the work as the Mets average 3.85 runs per game, which is good for 27th in the league. New York has a ton of injuries in their lineup and will look to continue treading water until they are back at full strength. They will look to build on an impressive eight wins over their last nine home games to date.

New York will turn to right-hander Jacob deGrom for the third game of the series. The likely Cy Young award winner and MVP candidate is currently 6-2 with a 0.56 ERA and 103 strikeouts through his first 10 starts. deGrom is clearly the best pitcher in all of baseball and his ability to win games for his club with absolutely no run support is mind-blowing. The Mets ace exited his last start after just 80 pitches due to right flexor tendinitis, but is expected to be at full strength for this start against the Cubs.

Final Cubs-Mets Prediction & Pick

The fact of the matter is that you have to side with the New York Mets every time Jacob deGrom mans the mound. There is no debating who the best player on the field will be in this game and the disparity in this pitching matchup is truly night and day. deGrom is on track to have one of the best seasons of all time and we can tail him for a profitable season. Robert Stock was struggling in Triple-A this season and poses an opportunity for the Mets offense to wake up as well.

FINAL PICK: New York Mets -1.5 (-126)