The New York Mets (31-39) and St. Louis Cardinals (38-32) will continue a National League series Tuesday night at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET
New York Mets vs. St. Louis Cardinals
New York has alternated wins and losses over its last five games, as it looks to bounce back from a 6-2 defeat to St. Louis as +147 road underdogs Monday, while pushing up against the betting total of 8. The Mets have dropped 13 of their last 17 road games versus the Cardinals, while they’ve compiled a disappointing 13-21 record when taking on teams with a winning record.
Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (3-3, 2.54 ERA) has watched the club drop his last two efforts, but he hasn’t earned a decision over that span, including a 5-1 home defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers last time out. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in six road games—issuing seven walks and striking out 27 batters in 40.1 combined innings. In six lifetime starts versus the Cardinals, Niese has compiled a 4-1 record and 1.87 ERA.
St. Louis is riding a four-game winning streak, while the UNDER has gone 3-0-1 in that span. The Cardinals will likely struggle to score offensively in the second game of this series, considering outfielders Allen Craig and Matt Holliday are a combined 3-for-20 at the plate against Niese. It’s important to point out that catcher Yadier Molina is 5-for-13 with a double in the matchup. St. Louis is 5-5 as home favorites of -150 to -175, with the OVER going 6-3-1 in those 10 opportunities.
Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (4-5, 2.88 ERA) will try to put an end to a personal two-game losing streak, including a 6-3 setback on the road to the Tampa Bay Rays last time out. The right-hander has put together a perfect 4-0 record and 2.42 ERA in seven home appearances, with opposing hitters batting .222 against him. Wacha has split both of his starts against the Mets with a 3.60 ERA, but will be facing them at home for the first time in his career.
Sports bettors will likely back the Cardinals due to their 45-21 record in their last 66 home games.
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