Preview: Mets at Cubs, Friday, April 17, 2026

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The struggling New York Mets will look to snap a five-game skid when they open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with a temperature near 69 degrees.

The Mets (7-12) arrive reeling after being swept in a three-game set by the Los Angeles Dodgers, including an 8-2 loss Wednesday. Their offense has mustered just three total runs during the losing streak.

Chicago (9-9), meanwhile, is coming off a potent offensive display, routing the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday behind a three-hit, five-RBI day from Nico Hoerner.

The pitching matchup features right-hander Edward Cabrera (1-0) for New York against Chicago lefty Shota Imanaga.

Cabrera gets the nod for the Mets. Kodai Senga, initially listed as a probable pitcher, is 0-2 this season.

Imanaga is a key player to watch for the Cubs. He is coming off a dominant performance in Philadelphia, where he struck out 11 over six innings of one-run ball last Wednesday. In his previous start, he threw six no-hit innings but took a loss against Pittsburgh due to a lack of run support.

A player to watch for the Mets is right-hander Clay Holmes, who took the loss Wednesday in Los Angeles despite a quality start, allowing two runs over five innings. He pitched seven shutout innings in a win at San Francisco on April 4.

According to Interstat, the Cubs are projected to win with a 58.5% probability, and its game simulator predicts a 6-3 Chicago victory. The Cubs have been installed as a -1.5 run favorite, and the over/under for total runs is 10.5.

Following this series, the Mets return home to face the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. The Cubs will host the Philadelphia Phillies for a four-game series starting Monday.