Cubs and Mets Set for Exciting First-Place Showdown in New York

The Chicago Cubs are heading to Citi Field to take on the New York Mets in a three-game series starting tonight. Both teams are in first place in their divisions, and this could be one of the most exciting matchups of the weekend.

The Mets (24-14) are leading the NL East and winning with dominant pitching. Their team ERA is the lowest in the majors at 2.89. Kodai Senga has been incredible, posting a 1.16 ERA, while Griffin Canning, Tylor Megill, and David Peterson have all played key roles. Rookie Luisangel Acuña just won NL Rookie of the Month and is looking like a strong everyday player. On offense, Pete Alonso is leading the team in nearly every category, while Francisco Lindor has also had a strong start. Juan Soto, after a quiet April, is heating up fast, he’s already had two games in May where he hit two home runs, showing signs of his superstar form returning.

The Cubs (22-16) lead the NL Central and come into the series with one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball. They lead the league in both runs scored and stolen bases. Kyle Tucker has been a huge addition, hitting .284 with 9 home runs and 31 RBIs, he’s looking like a possible MVP candidate. Rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong is showing off his power, speed, and glove with 9 home runs, 12 steals, and elite defense. Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ have added steady production as well.

On the mound, the Cubs have gotten strong performances from Shota Imanaga (2.82 ERA), but he just went on the injured list with a strained hamstring. With Justin Steele already out for the season, the Cubs may turn to top prospect Cade Horton for help soon. In the meantime, they’ll rely on Jameson Taillon, Matthew Boyd, and others to hold things down.

Pitching Matchups:

• Game 1 (Friday): Cubs – Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Mets – Clay Holmes (4-1, 2.95 ERA)
  
• Game 2 (Saturday): Cubs – **TBD (Shota Imanaga’s replacement) ** vs. Mets – Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50 ERA)
  
• Game 3 (Sunday): Cubs – Matthew Boyd (3-2, 2.75 ERA) vs. Mets – Griffin Canning (5-1, 2.50 ERA)

Extra Things to Watch:

• Last Season: The Cubs took 4 of 6 from the Mets in 2024, including a sweep at Citi Field.
  
• Alonso vs. Cubs: Pete Alonso has crushed the Cubs, hitting 26 home runs in 34 career games against them.
  
• Matchup to Watch: Keep an eye on Kyle Tucker vs. Clay Holmes in Game 1. Tucker’s power against Holmes’ sinker could be a key battle.

Whether it's the Mets' early season elite pitching or the Cubs' high-powered offense, this series has a little bit of everything. With both teams fighting to stay on top of their divisions, every game could matter down the stretch. From Pete Alonso's home run power to Kyle Tucker’s all-around impact, fans should expect big performances, tight games, and playoff-like energy all weekend long in Queens.