Mets face must-win stretch as Cubs loom, with FanDuel promo targeting bettors
New York geschlossen in two-road-series finale, including a Chicago set against the Cubs who have clinched a playoff berth, as FanDuel rolls out a bet boost for new customers.
The Mets enter a must-win stretch to keep their NL wild-card hopes alive, closing out the regular season with two road series that culminate in a three-game set in Chicago against a Cubs club that has already secured postseason participation. New York will start Wednesday's game with Jonah Tong on the mound, while Chicago counters with Matt Boyd.
New York’s climb has been tumultuous in September. The team opened the month four games above .500 with a 4.5-game edge over Cincinnati for the last NL wild-card spot, but the Reds have since gained the inside track on the tiebreaker. Each remaining game carries heavy weight for a Mets club that cannot afford a misstep as it tries to preserve its season.
Tong, a 22-year-old rookie, will take the mound in the Cubs series opener, aiming to replicate a recent showing that flashed his upside. In his last appearance, he worked five innings of four-hit ball with zero walks and eight strikeouts against the Padres, a performance Mets officials hope to see repeated as they chase a crucial win in Chicago.
The Cubs, by contrast, have already punched their postseason ticket, removing some pressure from their preparation but not from the steady demand for consistency as they close out the season. For the Mets, each victory is a step toward sustaining a final-week push, potentially keeping their wild-card fate in their own hands.
FanDuel Sportsbook has rolled out a welcome offer for new customers who have yet to sign up: bet $5 and receive $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins. The promotion does not require a promo code. Eligible players in listed states can follow a simple sign-up flow—choose a state, enter login details, make a deposit, and place a bet—to claim the bonus. The promotion is available to players in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming, with full terms applying.
Analyst Malik Smith, a New York Post Betting contributor, notes that September has been a rough period for the Mets, who entered the month with strong momentum but have seen that lead waver as Cincinnati applies pressure for the final wild-card spot. He emphasizes that Tong’s ability to replicate his best command and strikeout numbers will be pivotal if New York is to keep pace down the stretch. Smith has built his betting profile around data-driven insights, particularly in NBA and combat sports, and his assessment underscores how every Mets win carries outsized significance while the Cubs’ postseason berth adds a layer of playoff experience to the equation.
New York’s path remains narrow but possible: win out and hope for favorable outcomes from other late-season results to secure a wild-card berth. The Mets will rely on Tong to deliver an efficient start and on the bullpen to bridge to late-inning opportunities, while Chicago continues to balance rest and readiness as they prepare for a deeper October run. In the coming days, the Mets will need to optimize execution across the lineup, especially against a Cubs pitching staff that has learned to win games with minimal margin, a dynamic that will test New York’s offense in pressure-packed moments.