Including last night’s wild win in 11 innings, the St. Louis Cardinals are 4-1 the last five times they have been the betting underdog. The Cardinals arrived in New York for what was billed as a pivotal three-game series for both teams. After escaping yesterday with a 4-3 win, St. Louis has won the first two games and looks to complete the series sweep tonight.
- Date/Time: September 15, 7:10 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Citi Field
- TV Coverage: Bally Sports Midwest, SNY
- Sportsbook Odds: Mets -155 | O/U 8 (Line History)
- Cardinals vs Mets Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Mets opened as -155 favorites at home for this game. Almost 80 percent of the early money was dropped on the Cardinals and a lot of places have moved the line down to -150. The total opened at 8 and remains there. Five of the last six games at Citi Field have gone OVER the number.
Starting Pitchers Analysis
When the Cardinals acquired Jon Lester at the deadline, few believed the veteran lefty could have much of an impact on their playoff run. In eight starts since the trade, the 37-year-old is 2-1 with a serviceable 4.30 ERA. However, in 11 career starts against the Mets, Lester is 8-1 and has won his last six decisions.
Mets rookie Tylor Megill is 3-4 with a 4.06 ERA in 15 starts. In his last appearance, the big right-hander had a career-best 10 strikeouts over seven innings as the Mets beat their crosstown rivals, the Yankees. That’s the only time Megill has gone more than six innings in a start.
St. Louis News & Notes
After taking the first two games of this series, the Cardinals have leapfrogged the Cincinnati Reds and now own a half-game lead for the second NL wild-card spot. St. Louis has won four straight and has implied odds of 31 percent to make the playoffs.
Yesterday, Cardinals spot starter Jake Woodford managed to get through four innings of work. The Cardinals were forced to use seven relievers to get through the game’s final seven innings.
Current closer Giovanny Gallegos allowed the tying run to score in the bottom of the ninth inning. Alex Reyes, recently removed as the closer, worked a scoreless 10th inning. Reyes has pitched both games of this series and likely won’t be available today.
New York News & Notes
After dropping the first two games, New York will look to avoid a sweep, which would put the team five games out of the playoff picture.
Not only do the Mets trail St. Louis by four games for the second wild-card spot, but they would also have to pass Philadelphia, San Diego and Cincinnati before they get to the Cardinals.
Despite losing in extra innings yesterday, it wasn’t all bad news for New York. Javier Baez hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Mets fans called him back out for a curtain call. Baez and Mets fans have had a rocky relationship since he was acquired from the Cubs at the trade deadline.
Just like the Cardinals, the Mets were forced to use seven relievers to get through yesterday’s 11-inning game. However, starter Marcus Stroman did manage to go six innings and nobody in the New York bullpen needed to get more than three outs.
Staff Betting Pick: OVER 8
Yesterday, the Cards and Mets combined to use 16 pitchers before St. Louis finally prevailed. Both starting pitchers today are useful but rarely dominant. Quality rested arms might be an issue for both teams. Take the OVER in this one.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- St. Louis is 13-5 in its last 18 road games.
- New York is 1-6 in its last 7 home games vs St. Louis.
- The OVER is 5-1 in the last 6 games at Citi Field.
