Cubs and Mets Set for Highly Anticipated Weekend Series
The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs have been two of the best teams in the National League through the first month of the season. Now, they get their first look at one another in a highly anticipated weekend series in Queens. Both teams lead their respective divisions and have been leading for the majority of the season. However, both teams have been successful in different ways, and they both have early-season obstacles to overcome, which are just a few of the things that make this series so intriguing. With that said, let's dive into this critical weekend series between two of the Senior Circuit’s top teams.
Game One: Jameson Taillon vs. Clay Holmes
The first game of the series features two starting pitchers with interesting backgrounds. Jameson Taillon has been under some heavy criticism at times from Cubs’ management because of his struggles with giving up the home run ball as well as walks. However, he has stepped up big time for Chicago in 2025 on multiple occasions so far. He is coming off back-to-back gems against the Phillies and Brewers, where he threw at least six innings and gave up two earned runs or less in both starts. The Cubs will be looking for plenty more of these performances over the next month or so, with the starting pitching injuries beginning to pile up for Chicago. As for Clay Holmes, he made his mark in the league as a relief pitcher for the crosstown rival New York Yankees, but since becoming a full-time starter, he has been extremely effective. Over his last four starts, he has gone at least five innings in all of them while only giving up five combined earned runs. He does struggle with giving up walks at times, which could end up being one of the keys to the game, given Chicago’s ability to work deep into counts and draw a large number of walks. Whichever starting pitcher can command the zone the best and continue their recent hot streaks will be the one giving their team the best chance to win the series opener.
Game Two: TBD vs. Tylor Megill
The Cubs have yet to announce a starting pitcher for Saturday’s game, and it makes sense why this is the case. This would be Shota Imanaga’s day to start, but with him going on the IL with a hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday, there is no designated starter to take his place. This has the makings of a potential bullpen day for the Cubs, especially if Taillon is able to give them a strong outing on Friday. Tylor Megill did not get off to the best start as he got hit around during his first few starts at the beginning of April, but he has been able to turn it around as of late, including a 10-strikeout performance against the Phillies in which he only allowed one hit. The key to this game will undoubtedly be the Cubs’ offense. With the pitching being a large question mark heading into this game, and the fact that Megill has shown he is hittable, the Chicago offense will likely have to show up big for the Cubs to win on Saturday.
Game Three: Matthew Boyd vs. Griffin Canning
Sunday’s game has a very real chance to be the rubber match, with the Cubs seemingly having the advantage in game one and the Mets having the clear advantage in game two. Not to mention, these teams are so evenly matched to begin with. This game will likely come down to the bullpens, as do most series finales, but especially in this series. The Cubs have made a habit of getting deep into an opponent's bullpen by the final game of a series, which gives them an advantage as the series develops. On the other side, the Cubs’ bullpen will be asked to eat a lot of innings, especially on Saturday, which gives the Mets an advantage going into Sunday. Whoever’s bullpen is the most rested and is able to perform the best will be the team walking away with the win on Sunday.
