4.40
ERA
1.05
WHIP
8.6
K/9
92.0
IP
16
GS
2.3
BB/9
vs NYM — career
7.06ERA1GS.211OPP AVG4K
Chicago Cubs vs New York Mets
10:5
Final
H2H 2–4
NYM · Home · 51-66
New York Mets
Starting pitchers
4.87
ERA
1.41
WHIP
9.4
K/9
57.1
IP
3
GS
3.1
BB/9
vs CHC — career
10.29ERA2GS.353OPP AVG6K
Starter form · last 5 starts
Matchup edge
Shota Imanaga hotter lately (L5 2.17 ERA)·Cubs 4–6 L10
Projected hitters vs LHP / LHP
Cubs vs LHP
Avg OPS 0.7321 hot hitterTop: Kelly 0.981 · Swanson 0.696 · Bregman 0.665
Projected sample — season splits vs pitcher hand, not official order.
Mets vs LHP
Avg OPS 0.7121 hot hitterTop: Wagaman 0.856 · Bichette 0.783 · Benge 0.783
Projected sample — season splits vs pitcher hand, not official order.
Chicago Cubs hitters vs LHP (projected)
Batter
AVG
OPS
HR
New York Mets hitters vs LHP (projected)
Batter
AVG
OPS
HR
◆ Matchup preview
Chicago Cubs at New York Mets (2026-06-24). Shota Imanaga vs Sean Manaea at Citi Field.
Shota Imanaga enters this matchup with a season ERA of 4.26 and a WHIP of 1.06 over 86.2 innings across 15 starts, demonstrating a solid ability to limit baserunners. His strikeout rate of 8.72 K/9 is respectable, paired with a controlled 2.28 BB/9, although his home run rate of 1.77 HR/9 is a concern. Imanaga's recent trend ERA is up, and he has a 50% quality start percentage, indicating some inconsistency in deep outings. Sean Manaea, on the other hand, has a slightly higher season ERA of 4.64 and a WHIP of 1.34 across 54.1 innings in 2 starts, with a higher K/9 of 9.28 but also a higher BB/9 of 2.98. Manaea's home run rate of 0.99 HR/9 is better than Imanaga's, but his quality start percentage is 0%, suggesting he has struggled to go deep into games. Manaea's recent trend ERA is down, which could indicate improved form despite his limited starts.
The Cubs' offense has been more potent this season, boasting an OPS of 0.740 and scoring 375 runs, compared to the Mets' 0.670 OPS and 317 runs. Chicago's hitting metrics, including a 0.243 batting average and 0.338 on-base percentage, suggest a more consistent ability to get on base and drive in runs. On the pitching side, the Cubs have a team ERA of 4.28 and a WHIP of 1.24, allowing 115 home runs. The Mets' pitching staff has a slightly better team ERA of 4.12 and a WHIP of 1.28, with a lower home run allowed total of 80, indicating a potential advantage in run prevention. The Cubs have been inconsistent in their recent form, while the Mets have shown more wins in their last ten games.
Looking at the head-to-head history, the Mets have had a slight edge over the Cubs in recent meetings from 2025, winning four of the six contests. The total line for this game is set at 8.5 runs, which aligns with the pitching matchup featuring two left-handers who have shown some vulnerability to runs, particularly Imanaga's higher home run rate and Manaea's struggles to pitch deep. The Cubs' stronger offense could challenge the Mets' pitching, while the Mets' ability to limit home runs could be a factor against Chicago's lineup.
Key facts
◆ Lineup notes
Alex Bregman has the most extensive history against Manaea, going 10-for-40 in 46 plate appearances with an .823 OPS. Matt Shaw and Seiya Suzuki both have strong numbers, each 2-for-4 with a 1.250 OPS. Michael Busch is 2-for-5 with a 1.400 OPS, while Nico Hoerner is 2-for-10 with a .600 OPS. Carson Kelly has recorded 3 hits in 21 at-bats across 23 plate appearances for a .550 OPS. Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitless in 1 at-bat across 2 plate appearances with a .500 OPS, and Dansby Swanson is 0-for-12 in 14 plate appearances with a .071 OPS. Pedro Ramírez has no MLB history against Manaea.
Francisco Lindor has performed well against Imanaga, going 3-for-6 in 7 plate appearances with a 1.904 OPS. Marcus Semien is 1-for-2 in 3 plate appearances with a 1.167 OPS, and Francisco Alvarez is 1-for-2 with a 2.500 OPS. Brett Baty has gone 2-for-5 with a 1.400 OPS. Mark Vientos is hitless in 5 at-bats across 5 plate appearances with a .000 OPS. Carson Benge, Bo Bichette, Eric Wagaman, and A.J. Ewing have no MLB history against Imanaga.
Takeaway: The away lineup has more batters with prior MLB history against the opposing starter, Sean Manaea, including several with extensive plate appearances.
Head to head (2025–2026)
2—4
New York Mets lead series
6 meetings total
2025-09-25
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
8–5
NYM
2025-09-24
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
3–10
CHC
2025-09-23
New York Mets @ Chicago Cubs
9–7
NYM
2025-05-11
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
2–6
NYM
2025-05-10
Chicago Cubs @ New York Mets
6–5
CHC
Team picture · 2026
CHC
NYM
Team AVG
0.244
0.231
Team OPS
0.744
0.674
Home runs
95
90
Runs scored
395
325
Team ERA
4.30
4.22
HR allowed
121
83
Explore more MLB matchups
Related game previews for these clubs and around the league.