The early buzz on the Chicago Cubs since coming out of spring training nearly two months ago was they had a chance to be competetive in the National League Central, but probably didn't have the overall balance needed to win. Over in the NL East, the New York Mets were never discussed as potential 2011 champs. So far, these projections are coming true with the Cubs in fifth place, seven games back in the Central and the Mets in fourth 6 1/2-back of first.
Beginning Tuesday (8:05 pm ET) the Cubs host the Mets in the first of a three-game set at Wrigley Field. Getting the start for Chicago is veteran right-hander Ryan Dempster. countering for New York is left-hander Jonathon Niese. With Dempster and Niese the starters, the Cubs are -128 moneyline favorites on the offshore MLB Odds board with a betting total (over/under) of 7-runs. Mets backers are getting +118 odds as moneyline underdogs.
Niese has had problems facing the Cubs in the past going 1-1, but with a 6.75 ERA while Dempster has nine career wins versus the Mets but has also given up runs in bunches as his 5.58 ERA indicates. Dempster is now 2-4 on the season with a 6.91 ERA. His last time out he allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings.
Niese has pitched well at times but his 3-4 (4.39 ERA) record doesn't necessarily reflect it. He has picked up back to back winning decisions beating Colorado on May 12 and Washington May 18. Against the Nats on Wednesday,Niese allowed six hits and one walk while striking out seven over seven shutout innings.
The Mets were 9-3 losers as they battled the cross-town Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the sub-way series. Moneyline bettors who got the Yankees at -182 were rewarded, while the 12 combined runs moved the game OVER for totals bettors.
The Cubs were a 5-1 road losers on Sunday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. That made winners of bettors who got Boston at -187 on the moneyline, while the total score (6) was good news for UNDER bettors.
For tonight's between the Cubs and Mets I am predicting the road team wins. It's all about pitching and I like the kid to beat the veteran. MLB Odds Best Bet – Mets +118.
