New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Predictions for Saturday April 18 2026
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The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs square off on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM and coverage on MLB.TV. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. For more betting insight on today’s slate, be sure to check out free MLB picks before making your final decision on this matchup.
Starting Pitchers Preview
New York will turn to Freddy Peralta for this start, while Chicago counters with Jameson Taillon. Peralta enters with a 1-1 record, a 3.86 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 21.0 innings. He has allowed 16 hits, struck out 25, walked 8, and given up 3 home runs. Taillon comes in with a 0-1 record, a 4.86 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP across 16.2 innings. He has allowed 15 hits, recorded 17 strikeouts, walked 6, and surrendered 5 home runs. Both pitchers have shown flashes, but their numbers suggest very different levels of consistency heading into this game.
New York Searches for Stability on the Road
The Mets come into this contest at 7-12 overall and 4-6 on the road. It has been a difficult stretch recently, as New York has lost all five of its last games. They recently lost to the Dodgers by scores of 8-2, 2-1, and 4-0, and they also recently lost to Oakland 1-0 and 11-6. That run highlights an offense that has struggled to find consistent production, with multiple games featuring minimal run support.
New York’s team stats reflect those offensive challenges. The Mets are batting .220 with 65 runs, 142 hits, and 14 home runs. They hold a .286 on-base percentage and a .331 slugging percentage. On the pitching side, New York owns a 3.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .234 batting average. The staff has issued 65 walks and recorded 173 strikeouts. In day games, the Mets are 4-5.
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One key takeaway for the Mets is that the pitching staff has held its own, as shown by the 3.83 ERA and .234 opponent batting average. However, the offense has not matched that effort, with just 65 runs and a .331 slugging percentage. That imbalance has been especially evident in the recent five-game losing streak, where run production has not been enough to support otherwise competitive pitching.
Chicago Looks to Build on Offensive Momentum
The Cubs enter this matchup at 9-9 overall and 4-5 at home. Chicago has gone 3-2 over its last five games, showing signs of offensive life. The Cubs recently won over Philadelphia by scores of 11-2 and 10-4, though they also recently lost 13-7 to the Phillies. Before that, they picked up a 7-6 win over Pittsburgh and lost a close 4-3 game in extra innings. That recent stretch points to a team capable of scoring runs in bunches.
Chicago’s numbers support that observation. The Cubs are batting .248 with 94 runs, 153 hits, and 19 home runs. They carry a .341 on-base percentage and a .386 slugging percentage. On the mound, Chicago has a 3.88 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .220 batting average. The pitching staff has issued 56 walks and struck out 155 batters. In day games, the Cubs are 4-6.
The strength for Chicago is clearly its offense. The Cubs lead this matchup in batting average, runs, hits, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. With 94 runs already, they have shown an ability to consistently generate scoring opportunities. Even though their pitching numbers are similar to New York’s, the offensive edge provides a significant advantage in a game like this.
New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Picks and Prediction
New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Pick
Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline
Chicago looks like the stronger side based on the provided data. The Cubs have the edge in offensive production across nearly every category, including runs scored, batting average, and slugging percentage. They have also played better over the last five games, going 3-2 compared to New York’s five-game losing streak. While both pitching staffs have similar ERA numbers, the Cubs’ offense has been far more consistent, which gives them the advantage at home.
New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Total Pick
Pick: Take the over/under if the total is set at 8.5.
I would lean toward the over if the total is set at 8.5. Chicago has scored 94 runs and has shown recent games with high totals, including 11-2, 10-4, and 13-7. New York’s pitching has been solid overall, but the Mets have allowed multiple runs in recent losses, and their starter has allowed 3 home runs so far. With Chicago’s offensive strength and recent scoring trends, I see a path for this game to push past that number.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 6 – New York Mets 3
This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Friday.
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