In the third of a four-game series between the New York Mets (23-17) and the St. Louis Cardinals (23-17) at Citi Field, Bartolo Colon (6-2, 3.86 ERA) and Carlos Martinez (3-2, 4.72 ERA) get the start. The Cardinals won the last game 10-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 20 and will air on FSN-MW and SNY.
Colon has a 2.77 ERA and a 4-0 record in his career against the Cardinals, but is up against a solid St. Louis offense that’s hitting .268 on the year. Wilmer Flores (.248, 17 Rs, 6 HRs, 15 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. In his pitching opportunities against the Mets, Martinez is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He gets a struggling New York offense that’s batting just .236.
New York is a slight -113 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. The Mets have a winning record of 18-4 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +725. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (5-1). The Mets lead the NL in home ERA with a 2.29 team average. The Mets are third in the league in WHIP at 1.14. The have been extremely effective at striking opposing batters out at Citi Field, averaging 8.7 strikeouts per home game.
Moving on to the away team, the Cardinals come into this game with a win percentage of .455 when playing as the underdog (5-6) and an overall money line of +1,028. The Cardinals are a problem for opposing batters, sporting an NL-low 2.81 ERA this season. The St. Louis pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging an NL-best 9.1 strikeouts per game.
This game will feature Martinez (RHP) on the mound against the Mets, who have a 15-3 home and 20-11 overall record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cardinals will be the right-hander Colon. Right-handed starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport a 21-8 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – STL, O/U – Over
Notes
When the Mets play into extra innings, they have a 1-0 record. The Cardinals are 4-3 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Cardinals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Mets have a 5-14 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 17-6. The Mets have a 14-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st, New York is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 153 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 172.
Ranking 17th, New York is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 112 this season. St. Louis ranks in the top half at 12th with 124.
When the Mets hit at least one home run, they are 14-6, well-matched with the Cardinals who are 16-6 when hitting one or more homers.
