New York Mets vs. Chicago Cubs

Quick read:

On April 18, 2026, the Chicago Cubs (10-9) face the New York Mets (7-13) at 1:20 CT on Marquee Sports Network and 104.3 The Score. The Cubs, who are one game over .500 for the first time this season, will start Jameson Taillon against the Mets' Freddy Peralta.

Taillon is coming off a start where he allowed 6 earned runs in 6.0 innings against the Pirates, including 3 home runs, though he pitched 4 scoreless innings after the second to help secure a win in high winds (up to 34 MPH). The Mets have struggled against right-handed pitching this season, posting an 81 wRC+ and ranking dead last in MLB since April 4 with a 66 wRC+ against RHP, a period coinciding with Juan Soto's absence on the IL.

Cubs 22-year-old Moises Ballesteros is batting sixth with a .375/.409/.625 slash line and an 185 wRC+ while maintaining a 20.5% strikeout rate. that manager Craig Counsell continues to platoon Ballesteros against lefties, keeping him out of the top of the order for now.

Key injuries for the Cubs include Justin Steele (60-Day IL) and Jordan Wicks, while the Mets are without Juan Soto April 19,...