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Early Preview Lineups: Confirmed Odds Posted 6 min read

New York Mets vs Chicago Cubs Preview

New York Mets visit Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Freddy Peralta faces Jameson Taillon in low-scoring matchup with 5.8-run total

New York Mets at Chicago Cubs MLB game preview for April 18, 2026
NYM
New York Mets
Freddy Peralta RHP
@
2:20 PM ET
Wrigley Field
CHC
Chicago Cubs
Jameson Taillon RHP
Last updated Saturday, April 18, 2026
Final This game has finished. Read the recap for final score, model grades, and box score.

Key Facts

Matchup
New York Mets at Chicago Cubs
Date
Saturday, April 18, 2026
First Pitch
2:20 PM ET
Venue
Wrigley Field
Probable Starters
Freddy Peralta (RHP) vs Jameson Taillon (RHP)
Lineups
Confirmed
Odds Snapshot
Apr 18, 2:21 PM ET
Last Updated
Apr 18, 6:07 PM ET

Betting Board

Snapshot Apr 18, 2:21 PM ET
Moneyline
NYM +106
CHC -106
Total
Over 8.5 +102
Under 8.5 -124
Run Line
NYM -1.5 +142
CHC +1.5 -172

Model Angles

NRFI Model
NRFI · 58%
+6.3% edge · playable
Projected Total
5.8
model combined runs
Park Factor
1.05
Neutral · HR 1.09
First Pitch Weather
48°F
14.1 mph W
The New York Mets bring a 7-14 record to Wrigley Field for a 2:20 PM ET afternoon showdown against the Chicago Cubs, who have won four straight games and sit at 11-9. Right-hander Freddy Peralta takes the ball for New York, carrying a 4.05 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 9.45 strikeouts per nine innings. He will face Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, who posts a 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 8.34 strikeouts per nine. The game projects to a low-scoring affair with a total of 5.8 runs, split nearly evenly between the two clubs. Weather conditions include temperatures around 48 degrees with 14 mph winds blowing from the west. The park factor sits at 1.05 runs, and the NRFI carries a 58 percent probability. Bo Bichette hits .298 against right-handed pitching, while Luis Robert Jr. brings a 10.1 percent barrel rate to the table.
  • Cubs carry four-game winning streak into afternoon contest
  • Peralta strikes out 9.45 per nine with 1.09 WHIP
  • Projected total of 5.8 runs with 58 percent NRFI probability

Pitching Matchup

NYM Away
Freddy Peralta
RHP · 1-2 · 5 GS
ERA
4.05
WHIP
1.09
K/9
9.45
IP
26.2
Career: 3.60 ERA · 1.13 WHIP · 11.10 K/9
NRFI: 74.9%
1st Inn ERA: 3.98
CHC Home
Jameson Taillon
RHP · 1-1 · 4 GS
ERA
3.97
WHIP
1.28
K/9
8.34
IP
22.2
Career: 3.87 ERA · 1.19 WHIP · 7.82 K/9
NRFI: 77.5%
1st Inn ERA: 2.85

On the season, Jameson Taillon holds the ERA edge in this matchup. Freddy Peralta carries a 4.05 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while Jameson Taillon sits at 3.97 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
Strikeout rates: Freddy Peralta at 9.45 K/9, Jameson Taillon at 8.34 K/9.
K projections: Freddy Peralta at 5.2 (line 5.5)
Jameson Taillon projected at 5.4 (line 4.5).
First-inning scoring: Freddy Peralta holds a 74.9% career NRFI rate, Jameson Taillon at 77.5%. Combined average: 76.2%.
Both starters throw from the R side, limiting platoon splits for either lineup.

Strikeout Projections

Freddy Peralta vs CHC
Proj: 5.2Line: 5.5
-0.3
Confidence:
Jameson Taillon vs NYM
Proj: 5.4Line: 4.5
+0.9
Confidence:
View all K projections on SlateIQ

Our strikeout model weighs pitcher K rate, opponent lineup whiff tendency, park factors, and umpire zone size to project total strikeouts per starter.

Freddy Peralta (New York Mets) is projected for 5.2 strikeouts against a posted line of 5.5. The projection is close to the line with no actionable edge.
He faces a moderate-K lineup that strikes out at 22.0% with a 28.0% whiff rate.

Jameson Taillon (Chicago Cubs) is projected for 5.4 strikeouts against a posted line of 4.5. The projection is close to the line with no actionable edge.
He faces a moderate-K lineup that strikes out at 22.0% with a 28.0% whiff rate.

The New York Mets lineup is more vulnerable to strikeouts in this matchup. Chicago Cubs batters K at 22.0%, New York Mets batters at 22.0%.

NRFI & First 5 Analysis

NRFI Model
57.5%
probability of NRFI
+6.3%
market edge
Signal
Market implied: 51.2%Model: 57.5%
First 5 Innings
3.2est. F5 runs
NYM
4.05 ERA
5.2 inn/start
CHC
3.97 ERA
5.5 inn/start
F5 lean: Even matchup
NYM K Projection
Freddy Peralta
5.2proj
Line: 5.5
-0.3 NEUTRAL
Confidence
CHC K Projection
Jameson Taillon
5.4proj
Line: 4.5
+0.9 NEUTRAL
Confidence
Explore all model projections

Our NRFI model analyzes both starting pitchers' first-inning profiles, the top-of-order hitters in each lineup, the umpire's historical zone, and environmental factors to produce a probability estimate. For this game, the model assigns a 57.5% probability of no runs in the first inning, compared to the market's implied probability of 51.2%.

  • That creates a moderate 6.3% edge on NRFI.
  • The best available line is NRFI -105 / YRFI -115 at FanDuel.
  • This qualifies as a playable in our publication system.
  • Home plate umpire Alex Tosi runs a average zone. See the umpire section below for full career data.
  • Our NRFI model sits at 15-17 (46.9%) on official picks this season.

Prop Edges

4 model signals detected
Bo Bichette
Hits (1+) Lean Hit 0.5
65%
Home Run Very Strong 0.5
15.8%
Home Run Very Strong 0.5
15.9%
Home Run Very Strong 0.5
15%
See all today's picks and edges

Lineup & Matchup Breakdown

New York Mets Confirmed
K%: 22.0
2Bo BichetteR3B
3Francisco LindorSSS
4Luis Robert Jr.RCF
Whiff rate: 28.0%Team page
Chicago Cubs Confirmed
K%: 22.0
2Michael BuschL1B
5Seiya SuzukiRRF
Whiff rate: 28.0%Team page
Batter vs Pitcher matchup tool

Lineups are confirmed as of this writing.

New York Mets K vulnerability: 22.0% strikeout rate, 28.0% whiff rate.

Chicago Cubs K vulnerability: 22.0% strikeout rate, 28.0% whiff rate.

Ballpark, Weather & Umpire

Wrigley Field
Run Factor1.05
HR Factor1.09
Full park profile
Home Plate Umpire
Alex Tosi
Average NRFI: 49.5% 93 games
Full umpire profile
Hourly Game Forecast
48°
2 PM
14 mph
W
48°
3 PM
14 mph
W
49°
4 PM
16 mph
W
48°
5 PM
17 mph
W
  • Wrigley Field carries a 1.05 run factor (neutral).
  • Home run factor: 1.09 — the park elevates HR power.
  • Park notes: Ivy-covered left field wall; Wind factor from Lake Michigan; High wall in left (11.5ft).
  • First pitch forecast: 48F with 14 mph winds from the W. Humidity: 67%.
  • Wind advisory: 14 mph winds from the W may impact fly balls.
  • Home plate umpire: Alex Tosi.
  • Career NRFI rate: 49.5% across 93 games tracked.
  • Zone tendency: Average.
  • K factor: 0.983 (league average strikeouts in his games).

Run Projections & Total

  • Our projection model puts the total at 5.8 combined runs, with New York Mets projected for 2.8 and Chicago Cubs for 2.9.
  • That's 2.8 runs below the posted total of 8.5, suggesting a lean toward the Under.
  • The run projection is essentially a coin flip between these two teams.
The Bottom Line
Chicago enters hot with four consecutive wins while the Mets sit at 7-14. The pitching matchup features Peralta with superior strikeout and WHIP numbers against Taillon, with a low run total projected and favorable NRFI conditions in cool, windy weather at Wrigley.
This preview is generated from thecapper.io projection models and publicly available data. All projections are model estimates, not guarantees. Gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.