Sox fans jumped on the news, posting tweets that the Cubs’ claim was premature. If it’s true he’s a Sox fan, Pope Leo XIV would be the team’s second representative of the Vatican after former Sox pitcher “The Pope” Donn Pall.

John Prevost, Pope Leo's older brother, confirmed his MLB allegiance in multiple interviews, putting to rest the debate between the North and South Side.

"He's Sox, and then the radio announced Cubs, and that's not true," the pope's older brother, John Prevost, told CBS News Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs (22-16) and the New York Mets (24-14) open a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Citi Field in Queens is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Cubs vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Doc’s Sports offers MLB expert picks for every game on our baseball predictions page.

Chicago Cubs (22-16, first in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (24-14, first in the NL East) New York; Friday, 6:10 p.m. CDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.86 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 31 strikeouts);