Just like clockwork, the St. Louis Cardinals are once again at the top of the NL Central standings. Not only that, they’ve got the best record in all of MLB. But the Cards’ recent lack of offensive production has seen their grip on the best record weaken. The Cards’ scuffling lineup could have an even tougher time putting runs on the board as they face Matt Harvey and the NL East-leading New York Mets on Monday night.
Harvey has been back to his flame-throwing best since returning from Tommy John surgery this season. Can he outduel savvy veteran John Lackey and keep the Cards bats silent in Citi Field? Read on below for our preview of this battle between two NL division leaders.
Elsewhere in New York, the Rangers will look to go 2-0 up in their Eastern Conference Final series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Check out our preview of Game 2 here.
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. New York Mets Preview
Where: Citi Field, New York
When: Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM ET
Line: St. Louis Cardinals (+130) at New York Mets (-140); total 6.5 – view all MLB lines
Betting on the St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals just avoided a first series sweep of the season, as they won 2-1 against the Tigers yesterday. Second baseman Kolten Wong saved the day for St. Louis with a solo shot in the sixth. It was his third home run and 10th RBI already this month. The Cards own the best record in the majors at 25-12, but they’re now just 3-5 in their last eight games.
[sc:MLB240banner ]Runs have been hard to come by over the last week or so. The Cardinals have scored just 26 total runs in their last eight games, with nearly a third of that total coming in a single game. Slugger Matt Adams recently snapped a career-high 0-of-21 slump, and is just 6-of-42 (.143) with one RBI this month.
Starting pitcher John Lackey has been all too familiar with a lack of run support. In his last four starts, the Cards have only scored eight runs, five coming in a single game. In his most recent start at Cleveland, Lackey gave up two runs on 5.1 innings, but took the 2-0 loss.
After a rough April (4.21 ERA), Lackey has pitched very well in May. He’s got a 1.89 ERA and 16 strikeouts in three starts thus far this month. The under has gone 5-1 in Lackey’s last six starts.
The New York Mets are finally back on track. After losing five straight games, the NL East leaders have now won two in a row after beating up on the lowly Milwaukee Brewers by a combined score of 19-2 over the weekend.
Michael Cuddyer did a lot of damage with his bat, as he went 3-of-7 with four RBIs in those two games. Cuddyer will look to continue his recent hot streak against John Lackey, a pitcher he’s had a lot of success against in his career. Cuddyer is 8-of-25 lifetime off Lackey, with four home runs and six RBIs.
After seeing young hot shots Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard each go six innings with just one earned run and six strikeouts in the last two starts, it’s ace Matt Harvey’s turn to on the mound. The 26-year old has pitched very well since returning from Tommy John surgery. He’s 5-1 with a team-leading 2.31 ERA, and six of his seven starts have been quality starts.
Harvey had his best start of the season last time out as he went seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against the Cubs. But he was ultimately a no-decision in a 2-1 Mets loss. Harvey has been pretty stellar in May, with just three runs and 14 hits allowed in 20 total innings.
Writer’s Prediction
Harvey throws another gem to lead the Mets (-140) to a 4-2 home win.
