You know the feeling when two teams with massive, tortured fanbases collide in the middle of a humid July afternoon? That’s basically the vibe of every Chicago Cubs Mets game. It doesn't matter if they’re fighting for the top of the NL Central or just trying to stay out of the basement. There is a specific kind of electricity—or maybe it's just shared anxiety—that hums through Wrigley Field or Citi Field when these two iconic franchises meet.
Honestly, it’s about the history. It’s about 1969. If you talk to an older Cubs fan, they still haven't quite forgiven the "Miracle Mets" for that legendary late-season collapse. On the flip side, Mets fans remember the 2015 NLCS like it was yesterday, watching Daniel Murphy turn into Babe Ruth for a week while the Cubs' young core looked completely paralyzed. These games aren't just entries on a 162-game calendar. They're chapters in a long, weird book.
The Weird Science of the Windy City vs. The Big Apple
When the Mets fly into O'Hare, the scouting report usually starts with the ivy and the wind. Wrigley Field is a fickle beast. One day, the wind is blowing in at 20 mph, and a 400-foot blast becomes a routine flyout to Ian Happ. The next, it’s a "basket" day, and every pop-up has a chance to leave the yard.
Mets pitchers, historically built on high-velocity arms like Tom Seaver, Dwight Gooden, or more recently, guys like Kodai Senga, have to adjust. You can’t just blow fastballs past hitters when the air is doing strange things. Cubs hitters, meanwhile, have spent decades perfecting the art of the "Wrigley stroke," keeping the ball low when the wind is howling in.
It's a chess match. A very loud, beer-soaked chess match.
Why Pitching Matchups Define This Series
If you look at the recent history of the Chicago Cubs Mets game, it’s almost always won in the bullpen. We’ve seen it time and again. A starter like Justin Steele or Shota Imanaga cruises through six innings, only for the seventh and eighth to turn into a total circus.
The Mets have a knack for finding high-leverage arms that either look like Cy Young contenders or leave fans screaming at the television. Think back to the era of Edwin Díaz—when that trumpet starts playing, the energy shifts. But against a gritty Cubs lineup that prides itself on "making contact and making things happen," even the best closers can't sleep.
- The first three innings are usually a feeling-out process.
- The middle innings are where the managers, like Craig Counsell or Carlos Mendoza, start overthinking the double-switch.
- The ninth inning? Pure chaos.
The 1969 Ghost That Won't Leave
You can't talk about these two teams without mentioning 1969. It is the definitive "what if" in Chicago sports history. The Cubs had a nine-game lead in mid-August. They had Hall of Famers like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, and Ron Santo. They were the best team in baseball.
Then the Mets happened.
New York went 38-11 down the stretch. They jumped over the Cubs and never looked back, eventually winning the World Series. For Cubs fans of a certain age, every Chicago Cubs Mets game is a chance for a tiny bit of cosmic revenge. It sounds dramatic, but sports are built on these kinds of grudges. The Mets represent the team that stole their "sure thing" year.
The 2015 Turning Point
Fast forward decades. The roles reversed. The Cubs were the young upstarts with Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. The Mets were the veteran-heavy rotation with Jacob deGrom and Matt Harvey. The 2015 NLCS was supposed to be the Cubs' coronation. Instead, the Mets swept them.
It was brutal.
Daniel Murphy hit a home run in every single game of that series. Cubs fans watched in disbelief as their high-powered offense went ice cold against New York’s power pitching. This back-and-forth—the 69 collapse versus the 2015 sweep—creates a layer of intensity that most inter-division rivalries lack. It’s a "big market" clash that feels intimate.
What to Look for in the Next Matchup
If you’re heading to the ballpark or just tuning in on Marquee or SNY, keep an eye on the strike zone early. Mets hitters tend to be disciplined, looking for that one mistake. The Cubs' current identity revolves around athleticism and defense.
Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner are arguably the best middle-infield duo in the league when it comes to range. They turn hits into outs. For the Mets to win, they have to hit the ball where the gloves aren't, which is easier said than done at Wrigley.
Also, watch the weather. Seriously.
If the flags are pointing toward Lake Michigan, bet on a low-scoring affair. If they're pointing toward Waveland Avenue, get ready for a 12-10 slugfest. The environment is a literal player in the Chicago Cubs Mets game.
The Fan Factor
The crowds are different, too. Citi Field is loud, intense, and occasionally cynical. New York fans expect greatness and aren't afraid to boo if they don't get it. Wrigley Field is more of a "hopeful party." Even when the Cubs are struggling, the Bleacher Creatures are loud.
When these fans mix, it’s a trip. You’ll see blue and orange (Mets) clashing with blue and red (Cubs) in the concourses. It’s a respectful rivalry, mostly because both fanbases know what it’s like to suffer. They share a common language of heartbreak.
Common Misconceptions About the Matchup
A lot of national media outlets treat this as just another mid-season series. They’re wrong. They think the "Curse of the Goat" being broken in 2016 ended the drama for the Cubs. It didn't. If anything, it raised the stakes.
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Another misconception? That the Mets are always the "big brothers" in the relationship. While the Mets often have the higher payroll, the Cubs have a massive global brand that rivals the Yankees. These are two heavyweights. When they play, the ratings spike for a reason.
- Myth: The Cubs always struggle at Citi Field.
- Reality: The Cubs have historically played very well in New York, often using the big dimensions of the park to their advantage.
- Myth: It’s all about the home runs.
- Reality: Small ball—stolen bases and sacrifice flies—usually decides these games, especially in the late innings.
Actionable Tips for Following the Series
If you want to truly enjoy the next Chicago Cubs Mets game, don't just look at the box score. Follow the advanced metrics in real-time.
Check the "Exit Velocity" on balls hit to the gap. Because of the unique wind conditions in Chicago, a ball hit 105 mph might die on the warning track, while a 90 mph fly ball carries out. Understanding "Expected Batting Average" (xBA) helps you see who is actually playing well and who is just getting lucky.
Listen to the local broadcasts. Both teams have some of the best announcers in the business. Listening to Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez on the Mets side gives you a masterclass in pitching and infield defense. On the Cubs side, Pat Hughes provides a classic, rhythmic radio experience that makes you feel like it's 1945.
Track the Bullpen Usage.
Before the game starts, look at who pitched the night before. If the Mets used their top three relievers in a blowout win, they’ll be vulnerable in the 7th inning of the next game. That’s usually when the Cubs strike.
Monitor the Injury Report.
In a long season, stars like Francisco Lindor or Cody Bellinger might take a "rest day" during a weekday afternoon game. This drastically changes the betting odds and the tactical approach of the opposing pitcher.
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The beauty of baseball is its unpredictability. You can analyze the stats until you're blue in the face, but once the first pitch is thrown at a Chicago Cubs Mets game, anything can happen. A wild pitch, a gust of wind, or a miraculous catch in the ivy can flip the script in a heartbeat.
Keep your eyes on the pitching rotations and the wind direction, and you'll be ahead of 90% of the casual fans. Whether it's a pitcher's duel or a home run derby, this matchup rarely disappoints those who appreciate the grit of National League baseball.