MLB Betting Preview

New York Mets (62-47) at Chicago Cubs (57-51)

Saturday, 3:55 pm Eastern – FOX

Opening Line: Cubs PK, Total 7.5 Over (-120)

Carlos Delgado hit a tie-breaking RBI double and the Mets scored four runs in the ninth inning as the Mets beat the Cubs 6-2 on Friday.  Carlos Zambrano missed his bid to become the Major Leagues' first 15-game winner.  Zambrano was pulled because of heat-related cramps in the 6th inning.  The Cubs will turn to Ted Lilly on Saturday as they try and even the series. The Cubs were in first in the NL Central on Friday and it was the first time the Mets and Cubs have met while leading their respective divisions since April 14, 1998.

The Cubs Ted Lilly goes for his 12th win on Saturday.  He is 11-5 with an ERA of 3.60 on the season.  The Mets go with John Maine on Saturday.  Maine is looking for his 13th win of the season.  He is 12-5 with an ERA of 2.92 on the season. Maine was great in his last outing.  He went five innings in a rain shortened shutout against the Nationals.

The Cubs are a PK with a total of 8 Under (-120) .

The Phillies snapped Ted Lilly’s winning streak in his last start.  He gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings in the loss. He had given up seven runs over 34 1/3 innings in his last five starts previous to that effort.

The Cubs and Mets could also be playing for history in this series.  Tom Glavine will be trying to get his 300th career win on Sunday. Greg Maddux was the last pitcher to win 300 games. "It's harder, with the five-man rotation, no question," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "I don't see young kids coming into the game today with that much of a chance to win 300 games. You're looking at a dying breed in my opinion."

Cliff Floyd of the Cubs was a teammate of Glavine’s with the Mets. "He doesn't get the calls like he used to back in the day and he's changed his way of pitching," Floyd said. "He knows when to take a little more off. He messes with the power guys. He's real smart. I don't think you get 299 wins by being dumb. He learned how to pitch at an early age and just perfected it.

"If he's on Sunday, we'll have a tough time beating him," Floyd said. "If he's not, he can win 300 somewhere else." Prior to Glavine, the last two pitchers to reach 300 career wins tried for their milestone at Wrigley Field, but did not succeed.

On June 7, 2003, Roger Clemens took the loss as the Cubs beat the New York Yankees, 5-2, at Wrigley. Clemens picked up No. 300 in his next start, June 13, 2003, vs. St. Louis. On Aug. 1, 2004, Maddux did not get a decision in the Cubs' 6-3 win against Philadelphia at Wrigley. Maddux did get win No. 300 in his next start, Aug. 7, at San Francisco, going five innings in an 8-4 win.

The Mets are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. the National League Central. The Mets are 5-2 in their last 7 Saturday games. The Mets are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record. The Mets are 6-2 in their last 8 road games. The Mets are 9-4 in their last 13 games vs. a left-handed starter. The Mets are 4-9 in their last 13 games as an underdog. The Mets are 4-0 in Maine's last 4 Saturday starts. The Mets are 9-2 in Maine's last 11 road starts. The Mets are 4-1 in Maine's last 5 starts as an underdog. The Mets are 4-9 in the last 13 meetings in Chicago.

The Cubs are 21-6 in their last 27 games vs. a right-handed starter. The Cubs are 12-6 in their last 18 games as a home favorite. The Cubs are 14-6 in their last 20 home games. The Cubs are 6-1 in Lilly's last 7 starts. The Cubs are 5-1 in Lilly's last 6 starts as a favorite.

The Over is 6-1 in the Mets last 7 vs. the National League Central. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Mets last 9 road games. The Under is 6-1-1 in Maine's last 8 road starts. The Over is 4-1 in Maine's last 5 starts vs. the National League Central. The Under is 6-2-2 in the Cubs last 10 games as a favorite. The Under is 5-2-1 in the Cubs last 8 vs. the National League East. The Under is 4-2-1 in the Cubs last 7 home games. The Over is 5-2 in Lilly's last 7 starts as a favorite. The Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.  The Under is 13-4-2 in the last 19 meetings in Chicago.