The New York Mets return to Citi Field on Sunday for the finale of their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs looking to continue their strong home-field play and secure a statement series win against a fellow National League contender. Riding a 25-15 record and sitting atop the NL East, the Mets have quietly been one of the most balanced and efficient teams in baseball, thriving behind elite pitching, timely hitting, and consistency in all phases of the game. Their 14-3 record over their last 17 home games underscores the comfort and control they’ve shown at Citi Field, and Game 3 presents an ideal opportunity to reinforce that dominance. Griffin Canning takes the mound for New York in this one, bringing with him a repertoire built on sharp command and an ability to mix speeds to keep hitters off-balance. Canning may not be overpowering, but his knack for inducing weak contact and working deep into games has been a key asset for a Mets rotation that boasts a 2.82 team ERA—among the league’s best. Behind him, the Mets bullpen has stepped up with improved performance over the last few weeks, especially in late-inning leverage situations, providing manager Carlos Mendoza with increased flexibility in close games. On the offensive side, New York has been led by Juan Soto, who has been on an offensive tear in May, going 9-for-26 with four home runs and elevating his role as a catalyst at the top of the order.

Soto’s patience and power have helped set the tone early in games, and he’s complemented well by Pete Alonso, who continues to deliver in the middle of the lineup with five home runs and 21 RBIs. The Mets’ approach at the plate emphasizes quality at-bats and situational execution, and they’ve been excellent at capitalizing on mistakes—something they’ll look to do again against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Boyd’s left-handed pitching will present challenges, but New York has hit well against lefties this season, and aggressive early swings could pay off if they can force him out of the game early. Defensively, the Mets have been sharp, particularly in the outfield where Soto, Brandon Nimmo, and Starling Marte have consistently limited extra bases with strong positioning and accurate throws. One key for New York will be to keep the Cubs’ powerful lineup in check by limiting home runs and avoiding big innings, as Chicago ranks among the top in both runs and slugging percentage. With the momentum from Saturday’s 6-5 win and a chance to take two of three from one of the league’s best offenses, the Mets have a critical opportunity to reinforce their standing as a true contender in the National League. A win in the series finale would not only maintain their grip on first place in the East but also send a clear message that their combination of pitching depth, offensive balance, and situational sharpness is built for sustained success as the season advances.