Preview: Struggling Mets, Peterson Face Cubs, Taillon at Wrigley

CHICAGO (Interstat) — The New York Mets will try to avoid a series sweep and halt a deepening skid when they face the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game set Sunday evening at Wrigley Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT under cloudy skies with temperatures around 51 degrees.

The Mets (7-14) have lost five straight and nine of their last 10, including the first two games of this series by scores of 12-4 and 4-2 on Friday and Saturday. The Cubs (11-9) have won three consecutive games.

New York will send left-hander David Peterson (0-3) to the mound seeking his first win. He will be opposed by Chicago right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1).

Taillon earned the win Saturday, allowing one run on five hits over six innings. Peterson has struggled to begin the season and will face a Cubs lineup that has scored 16 runs in the series’ first two games.

A player to watch for the Mets is right-hander Freddy Peralta, who took the loss Saturday despite a solid outing, allowing three runs over 5 2/3 innings. He has been a bright spot in the rotation, but the Mets’ offense has mustered just six runs during the five-game losing streak.

For the Cubs, Taillon looks to build on his strong performance. Carson Kelly, who hit a three-run homer as a pinch-hitter Saturday, could see an expanded role.

According to Interstat, the simulation projects a 6-1 Cubs victory. Chicago is a 1.5-run favorite, and the over/under is 8.5 runs.

Following the game, the Cubs open a four-game series at home against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. The Mets have an off-day Monday before starting a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins.