The St. Louis Cardinals (27-42) and New York Mets (32-36) open up a 3-game set Friday at Citi Field. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Mets odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Mets won 5-2 last year
The Cardinals have lost 5 in a row and are just 6-14 over the last 20 games. Their season has completely come unhinged, but the NL Central is so bad that they’re still just 8 games out.
The Mets have similarly disappointed as they have gone 2-8 over the last 10 games. They are 10 1/2 games out in a tougher NL East. They are 16-13 at home but strangely 3-9 against the weak NL Central.
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Cardinals at Mets projected starters
RHP Miles Mikolas vs. RHP Tylor Megill
Mikolas (4-3, 4.02 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.35 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 80 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 6 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K Saturday against Cincinnati Reds
- 3 career starts vs. Mets: 1-1, 1.71 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 14 K in 21 IP
Megill (5-4, 5.14 ERA) makes his 14th start. He has a 1.70 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 63 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 3 2/3 IP, 7 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 1 K vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Friday
- 1 career start vs. St. Louis: 3 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 3 K on Sept. 15, 2021
Cardinals at Mets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cardinals -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Mets -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (+140) | Mets -1.5 (-165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Cardinals at Mets picks and predictions
Prediction
Cardinals 5, Mets 4
Moneyline
The Cardinals have no problems scoring runs, but they have problems keeping them off the board. St. Louis has allowed at least 4 runs in 8 of the last 9. Mikolas has the ability to stifle offenses, and the Mets have struggled without 1B Pete Alonso.
I’m siding with the CARDINALS -115 because of Mikolas’ history against the Mets. Megill has also allowed 4-plus ER in 3 of 4 starts.
Run line/Against the spread
The Cards haven’t played well enough to back for a multiple-run win, and the Mets’ -165 is not enticing to keep within a run.
PASS.
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Over/Under
This is a pretty solid total here. The Cards are 4-5-1 O/U over the last 10, and the Mets are 5-4-1.
We’re projecting a push here. If you’re on board with Mikolas and the Cards, head to the Win/Total section and take the CARDINALS AND OVER 5.5 (+130). That option presents a little more risk, which we’re already taking with the Cards’ ML, but presents more reward.
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