The Chicago Cubs (22-16) and the New York Mets (24-14) open a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Citi Field in Queens is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Cubs are coming off a 2-1 series loss vs. the San Francisco Giants in Chicago, wrapping up the set with a 3-1 defeat as -163 favorites Wednesday with the Under (7.5) cashing. 2B Nico Hoerner (2-for-4) accounted for 2 of the Cubs' 4 hits in the finale, and SP Ben Brown (loss, 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 9 K) dropped to 0-3 at home on the season.

The Mets won 2 of 3 games at the Arizona Diamondbacks , closing the set with a 7-1 victory as -103 underdogs in the Wednesday finale with the Under (9) hitting. RF Juan Soto (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) homered in back-to-back at-bats for the Mets, who won a series for the first time since a 3-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies April 21-23.

Cubs at Mets projected starters



Taillon (2-1, 3.86 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.03 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 39 2/3 innings.

Holmes (4-1, 2.95 ERA) makes his eighth start. He has a 1.28 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 36 2/3 innings.

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Cubs at Mets odds



Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:35 p.m. ET.

Cubs at Mets picks and predictions



Prediction



Moneyline



CHICAGO (+130) has a decent shot at upsetting the Mets, who have dropped 5 of their last 8 games. Taillon boasts a 4-0 record with a 1.96 ERA in 6 career starts against New York, while Soto is just 1-for-11 lifetime against the Cubs right-hander.

BET CUBS (+130).

Run line/Against the spread



Chicago +1.5 (-165) isn't a bad bet, but taking the plus odds on Cubs ML is the preferred play.

PASS on the run line.

Over/Under



Both starting pitchers have allowed 2 earned runs or fewer in 5 of their 7 starts this season. This series has also been low-scoring recently, with the Under going 5-2 in their 7 meetings last year.

BET UNDER 7.5 (-102).

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