The Chicago Cubs hit the road on Monday, June 22, 2026, traveling to Citi Field in Queens to take on the New York Mets in what shapes up as a pivotal regular-season matchup. First pitch time is still to be determined, and neither club has announced a probable starter as of this writing — a wrinkle that adds a layer of uncertainty to an already intriguing interleague clash. What we do know is that the Mets are trotting out a legitimate lineup top to bottom, and the Cubs will need to be sharp on both sides of the ball to come away with a win.

New York Mets Starting Lineup for June 22, 2026

The Mets are loaded, and manager Carlos Mendoza is sending out a lineup that can hurt you in a dozen different ways. Carson Benge leads off out of right field, followed by Bo Bichette at third base — a player who has always made life difficult for opposing pitchers with his aggressive, contact-oriented approach. Then comes the headliner: Juan Soto batting third in left field. Soto remains one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, a disciplined presence at the plate who can single-handedly flip a game.

The damage does not stop there. Marcus Semien bats cleanup at second base, bringing veteran experience and serious pop to the middle of the order. Mark Vientos holds down first base in the five hole, a young slugger who has developed into a legitimate run-producer. Eric Wagaman handles the DH role at sixth, Francisco Alvarez catches and bats seventh — Alvarez is a former top prospect who continues to grow as an offensive threat — and A.J. Ewing patrols center field out of the eighth spot. Zack Short rounds out the order at shortstop batting ninth.

That is a deep, versatile lineup. The Cubs bullpen and rotation, whoever takes the ball Monday, cannot afford to work around the middle of this order only to run into trouble at the bottom. Every spot in a lineup this constructed carries a threat.

Keys to Watch for the Chicago Cubs

• Starting pitching identity: With no probable starter announced, the Cubs need clarity fast. Whoever takes the mound against Soto, Semien, and Bichette needs a clear plan and the command to execute it.
• Attacking the Mets' starter early: Once New York names their pitcher, the Cubs' lineup needs to work counts and get on base early. Letting a Mets starter settle in is a recipe for a long afternoon.
• Neutralizing Juan Soto: This is not a cliché — it is a game plan requirement. Soto's on-base percentage and situational hitting can extend innings in a way that snowballs quickly.
• Capitalizing in Bichette and Semien matchups: Both are aggressive early-count hitters. If Cubs pitchers can establish breaking balls early and work ahead, they can limit the damage from the top of the order.

Prediction

This is a road game against a talented Mets squad with a lineup that does not have a soft spot. The pitching uncertainty on both sides makes this one genuinely hard to call, but Citi Field has not been a friendly destination for visiting clubs this season. The Cubs are capable of taking this game, but they will need to name a starter with enough firepower to slow down the Soto-Semien-Bichette core. Expect a competitive, low-margin game. Cubs 4, Mets 3 — but only if they get the starting pitching announcement right and execute early.