Cardinals vs Mets MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
Both the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals sit a game and a half back in their division.
STL: Adam Wainwright (4-5, 4.45 ERA – 51 K’s – 1.35 WHIP) vs. (3-5, 4.65 ERA) vs. NYM: Johan Santana (2-2, 2.75 ERA – 60 K’s – 1.10)
Date/Time: Friday, June 1, 7:10 PM ET
Venue: Citi Field, New York, New York
Broadcast: FOX Sports Midwest, SNY
Spread: Mets -105
Over/Under: 7
While the Cardinals sit in second, the Mets reside in third, but do come in with a better record at 28-23, while the Cards come in with a 27-24 mark.
Both teams are also coming off of series losses, and with other teams surging within their respective divisions, need to right the ship sooner rather than later.
St. Louis will hope that happens as they hand the ball to Adam Wainwright, who has been a model of inconsistency in his first year removed from Tommy John surgery.
His starts have ranged from just three innings, all the way to the full nine in a shutout he hurled just two starts ago. The 30-years righty has allowed four or more runs in four of his 10 starts thus far. On the flip side, he has allowed one of fewer in four more. It’s hard to say exactly what you are going to get from him on a start to start basis right now.
Meanwhile, the Mets will counter with Johan Santana, another guy that missed all of the 2011 season.
Santana however has bounced back better than ever, and if the season were to end right now this would be his third best season in terms of ERA. His strikeout numbers are on track to be a little lower than usual, but he is on pace to have his second best season in that regard in a Mets’ uniform. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The 33-year old southpaw went at least six innings in his last seven starts, and has not given up more than four earned runs in any of his appearances this year.
Players to watch for:
Cardinals – Rafael Furcal .333/4/23/.391
With four hits in 12 at bats against Santana, Furcal is an easy choice here. Including a pair of extra base hits, plus his current work this season, he seems poised to have a big night. This guy has proven he can still get the job done when healthy.
Mets – David Wright .365/5/30/.463
Both of the players that hit Wainwright well the last time the two sides met, all happen to be on the 15-day DL coming into this one. While Wright is 0-6 in his career against Wainwright, he is hitting at a .365 clip right now. He’s bound to break through eventually.
Matt’s Free Prediction: New York- Tough one to call here, but I’m going with the Mets at home.
